Milan 2 Manchester United 3
Ronaldinho 3, Scholes 36, Rooney 61, Rooney 74, Seedorf 85
Two headers by Wayne Rooney gave United their first-ever Champions League win against AC Milan.
Those were Rooney’s 24th and 25th goals of the season so far.
United’s previous record was four defeats in the San Siro and no goals.
Sir Alex orchestrated a shambles in the first half with his daft team selection, which tried to nullify Milan but only de-structured his own midfield
Rafael didn’t look like a right back, Fletcher was on the left, Park was chasing Pirlo. It was a complete shambles.
I’ve never seen a Manchester United side make so many mistakes in a game. Even the Paul Scholes equaliser was a mistake.
Beckham’s free-kick was cleared by Evra’s risky overhead kick, which dropped to Ronaldinho and his volley deflected past Van der Sar off Carrick.
After that early shock United wobbled alarmingly.
Pato found Ronaldinho to give him a half-chance (7min), Antonini got beyond Rafael and came back inside, only to shoot wide of the near post.
Rooney’s first shot flew just past the post (31).
Nani was atrocious, just didn’t handle the occasion at all. But Nani might have been better if Fletcher had not been on the wrong side of the pitch.
United had lost their rhythm by not playing for six days, which gave them too much time to think about this tie. Sir Alex was guilty of over-thinking it. Why did he give Milan so much respect? An old team that’s not even playing well?
I was thinking : Man United are a fiery momentum team who invariably blow it when Fergie tries to get tactical, tries to nullify the other team, tries to play for a draw.
When Fletcher crossed, Scholes took a swing and missed the ball and it hit the shin of his standing foot and dribbled in off the post for 1-1. What a jammy goal ! Never in my life have I seen a goal like that, let alone in a massive game like this where every player is an international. A shinner is OK if it goes into the net off the leg you were using to score. A shinner off your standing leg is such a collector’s item that we might have to watch another 200 Champions League games before we see another goal like that.
It was 1-1 at half-time and I was thinking : Alex, they’re not that good ! Can’t you see? Milan are absolutely average !
Valencia for Nani was inevitable (64) and his first cross was perfect and Rooney headed in with formidable authority for 2-1. An important goal in Rooney’s 50th Champions League game.
Seedorf came on for Beckham in 74, Rooney sent a shot fizzing past then post, then Fletcher’s diagonal dinked cross found Rooney onside and heading in from seven yards for 3-1.
United were cruising but further sloppiness led to a crucial goal being conceded.
A killer Ronaldinho ball to the near post was flicked in by Seedorf for 3-2.
Carrick was give a second yellow card in 93 for kicking the ball away, although he barely touched the moving ball.
An absurd decision by a ridiculously bad Portuguese referee.
MILAN (4-3-3): Dida; Bonera, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Antonini (Favalli, 37); Beckham (Seedorf, 72), Pirlo, Ambrosini; Pato, Huntelaar (Inzaghi, 77), Ronaldinho. Subs not used: Abbiati (gk), Gattuso, Flamini, Abate.
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-3-3): Van der Sar; R Da Silva (Brown, 90), Ferdinand, Evans, Evra; Fletcher, Carrick, Scholes; Nani (Valencia, 64), Rooney, Park. Subs not used: Kuszczak (gk), Neville, Owen, Berbatov, Gibson.
Referee: Olegario Benquerenca (Portugal).