AC Milan 2 United 3

16 February 2010 23:37
Manchester United came from behind to beat AC Milan and edge ahead in their Champions League last-16 tie.[LNB] A deflected Ronaldinho goal put the Rossoneri ahead before a lucky Paul Scholes goal restored parity.[LNB] Wayne Rooney then scored two second-half headers as the Reds took command, but a late strike from Clarence Seedorf gives Milan hope for the return leg at Old Trafford. Michael Carrick was sent off late on for United for a second bookable offence. United were made to look like a bunch of nervous mistake riddled rookies in the opening half hour. Ronaldinho is only five weeks short of joining the 30 somethings in the Rossoneri dressing room and the word was that the one-time World Footballer of the Year is now shot! It is doubtful that Rafael would have swallowed such theories but on his biggest Champions League night yet he still couldn't handle his fellow Brazilians magic opening. The ever-present smile on his face that has illuminated so many matches down the years had supposed to have faded but Ronaldinho was all flashing teeth again as he reproduced a devastating repertoire. It added up to a killer start for the Reds who suffered on both sides from some Copacabana artistry.[LNB] While Rafael was to ultimately struggle in his youth versus experience, Patrice Evra was in trouble the other way around.[LNB] Evra has been one of United best players all campaign and has a great many supporters justifiably claiming he is the best left back in the world. But Milan's 20-year-old Brazilian Pato made him look ordinary at times and he forced Evra to give away a foul in the third minute. It was David Beckham's first moment for glory. His free kick was met by a spectacular attempt at a clearance by Evra. The Frenchman is a fine exponent of the mid-air art but this time it flew into the danger area and Ronaldhino's strike glanced off Carrick and wrong-footed Edwin Van der Sar. Now United had to show their true mettle when the chips are down, even though the Reds' record against AC in the San Siro didn't suggest a goal coming from anywhere. United nerves And with Rio Ferdinand's first outing since becoming the new England skipper turning into something of a nightmare and Jonny Evans' dominant form of late collapsing not only did scoring look a task beyond the Reds but containing Milan was also going to be a precarious business. This was the twitchy and fragile United of pre-Christmas. The Italians should have capitalised on United's giveaways but the Reds survived and out of the blue got the vital away goal. Scholes is famously one of the crispest strikers of a ball Old Trafford has ever produced but they were content just to see his fluked 37th minute equaliser go in. Darren Fletcher had escaped his role as Beckham's marker to drill in a low right foot cross that Scholes missed with his right foot but it struck his left and dribbled in past Dida. But who cares about the quality? With luck like that United are going all the way to Madrid in May. For much of the first half United could never have imagined in their wildest dreams theyd have returned to the dressing room on level terms. Scholes' goal was like an injection of self-confidence for the Reds and it was a much needed shot that surged through their veins. Meanwhile Milan were beginning to look the jaded side wed been told theyd become in Serie A. Edwin van der Sar is older than any of the old heads in the Milan camp but he had to prove he was still very much a spring chicken with saves to keep out Pirlo and Ronaldinho as the hosts found a second half second wind. But that was deflated superbly by Wayne Rooney. Fergie had suggested the England striker was on the brink of becoming one of the worlds greats in the pre-match build up and he moved up a notch last night in the San Siro. As United stepped it up and Milan faded, his power and speed asked questions of the Italians defence they couldnt answer. Finally in the 66th minute he rose to loop a second goal for the Reds beyond Dida and then stole into space after 74 minutes to meet Fletcher's cross. But there was sting in the tail for United. First Ronaldinho set up Seedorf to score, and then Michael Carrick was sent off for a second bookable offence after kicking the ball away. [LNB] What is your verdict on the action? Have your say. [LNB]

Source: Manchester_EveningNews