Source: SKY_Sports
Man Utd v Porto live!
90 A thrilling first leg of the quarter-final has given United it all to do in Portugal next week after a 2-2 draw with Porto, who took an early lead through Rodriguez. Rooney capitalised on a mistake to level on 15 minutes and substitute Tevez appeared to have stolen the win with five minutes left. However, substitute Mariano Gonzalez was left unmarked at the far post to level for Porto a minute from time.[LNB]90+5 Porto keeper Helton is shown a yellow card for time-wasting as he dithers over that free-kick.[LNB]90+4 Probably the last chance of the game after Ronaldo is brought down by Fernando on the edge of the box, but Giggs curls his left-footed free-kick over the wall and over the bar.[LNB]90+4 Madrid has replaced fellow substitute Costa, who took a knock to the nose.[LNB]90 There will be three minutes of injury-time. Will United snatch it late again, or are Porto going to nick a winner this time?[LNB]89 GOAL! Porto are back on level terms and poor defending has once again cost United as they leave goalscorer Mariano Gonzalez unmarked at the far post. Lisandro's cross is glanced on and no-one is at home for United as the substitute brings it under control before steering a shot past Van der Sar.[LNB]88 A real ebb and flow to this game as United go forward and the ball breaks to Carrick 25 yards from goal. His shot flies through the bodies, but is straight into the arms of Helton, who could do nothing about Tevez's goal.[LNB]87 It could prove to be a decisive goal in the tie for United, but Porto are not going to go down without a fight as Cissokho breaks free down the left, but his cross is cut out at the near post by Van der Sar.[LNB]85 GOAL! United leave it late yet again and it is another substitute who does the trick as Tevez steals in at the near post. Neville's throw-in is flicked on by Rooney and Tevez is there at the near post to turn the ball into the roof of the net.[LNB]84 O'Shea produces a well-timed tackle on Hulk on the edge of the area before the ball is spread back out to Lisandro to the right of centre, but he hits a wild volley into the crowd.[LNB]83 Slack play from Rooney after he found himself with space on the right-hand side. He got to the by-line, but allowed the ball to drift out of play before he played in his cross. Maybe getting a little tired.[LNB]82 Absolutely brilliant challenge from Fernando to deny Rooney a shot at goal. Giggs picks out Rooney who skips past one challenge and surges towards the edge of the area, only to be halted by that man Fernando.[LNB]81 Inside the final 10 minutes and is there going to be a winner tonight? United have been much improved in the second half, but Porto remain a danger on the break.[LNB]79 Porto make their first changes of the night and it's a double substitution as Tomas Costa and Mariano come on for goalscorer Rodriguez and Meireles.[LNB]77 Neville shows that greater quality from the right-hand side as he plays in a wonderful ball towards the near post which just eludes the head of Rooney. It only needed the merest of touches and Helton would have stood no chance.[LNB]76 United fail to make the most of the opportunity from just outside the box as Ronaldo hits a disappointing free-kick straight into the wall.[LNB]75 The first yellow card of the night goes to Alves, who is penalised for handball right on the edge of the box. The centre-half, who gifted United their equaliser, used his hand to intercept Carrick's pass and he can have no complaints.[LNB]75 Porto have a good shout for a penalty as Tevez's eagerness to help out in defence almost costs him. Hulk does well on the right edge of the area as he burrows towards the by-line and appears to have been caught by Tevez's sliding challenge.[LNB]74 The player who has caught my eye so far tonight is Porto's Fernando, who has been their anchor man. I don't remember him giving the ball away yet and he has broken up many an attack.[LNB]72 United make a double change and there will be no Champions League fairytale for Macheda tonight as Gary Neville and Carlos Tevez come on. Evans has picked up a knock so Neville should go to right-back, with O'Shea moving inside, while Tevez has replaced Scholes to give Rooney more help up front.[LNB]71 United offer a response as Ronaldo flicks the ball up from Rooney's knock-down and hits a firm volley from 25 yards which Helton gathers at the second attempt.[LNB]69 Once again, Porto are not suffering from a lack of ambition as young left-back Cissokho smacks a thunderous drive from about 35 yards which is beaten away by Van der Sar. One of these long-range drives could sneak in before long.[LNB]68 United are given another warning there as Lisandro finds space 25 yards from goal and he sets his sights, with his deflected shot being turned wide by Van der Sar. Porto just getting back into the game.[LNB]67 Solid defending from O'Shea to snuff out the threat of Hulk on the left side of the box after Porto broke with a four-on-four, with centre-half Alves leading the charge. United are in danger of being caught on the counter-attack.[LNB]65 A little bit of nerves in the Porto defence for the first time as they struggle to deal with Ronaldo's deflected cross. The ball breaks to Fletcher towards the right and his lobbed ball back into the six-yard area is well claimed by Helton ahead of Rooney.[LNB]63 Porto look to catch United on the counter-attack as Lisandro feeds Hulk on the right side of the box. Hulk cuts on to his left foot, but his low shot is tame and wide. United need to make sure the striker is not allowed to nip inside on his left foot - some basic defending will help to shut Hulk out of the game.[LNB]61 It's entertaining stuff in the first leg and there is certainly no caution being shown when the two sides go forward. Whatever the outcome tonight, the second leg should be a cracker next week.[LNB]60 From the resulting corner by Giggs, Vidic rises well with a powerful header which is beaten away by Helton. Giggs puts the ball back into the danger zone, which is again met by Vidic, but the Serbian can not get his attempt on target.[LNB]59 Rooney forces Helton into a scrambling save as he chips impudently from 25 yards and the ball is heading towards the far corner of the net before the Porto keeper tips it over.[LNB]58 United make the first change of the game as Giggs come on for Park. Personally, I think Park is unlucky to have been taken off as he has been one of United's better players tonight. Perhaps would have been interesting to take Scholes off and have Giggs as the support player for Rooney.[LNB]57 Porto try to break down the right-hand side of the pitch as Sapunaru looks to release Hulk by the touchline, but there was good strength by Evans on that occasion as the Porto striker goes down a little too easily.[LNB]56 Porto have not seen as much of the ball as they did in the first half, but they are continuing to defend solidly. You just wonder if they will fall into the same trap as Aston Villa did on Sunday by sitting back a little bit too much and inviting the pressure from United.[LNB]54 The final ball is just letting United down. Carrick roams forward before Rooney releases Ronaldo on the right flank. He darts towards the box, but his low cross is gathered well by Helton at the near post.[LNB]53 United definitely have more purpose about their play in the last few minutes, this time Park cuts in from the left and plays a low ball towards the six-yard box which Porto clear.[LNB]51 First real effort of the second half and it comes from Park, who shows great technique as the ball breaks to him 25 yards from goal. He takes a touch to set himself and then hits a crisp half-volley which flies into the midriff of Porto keeper Helton.[LNB]51 The nerves now appear to be creeping into Van der Sar, whose handling in the first half had been exemplary. A hopeful ball into the box should have been easily dealt with by the United keeper, but he palms it out and it only just evades a Porto attacker.[LNB]50 Just like the first half, O'Shea is finding plenty of space to come forward on the right-hand side, but his touch and delivery just lack that bit of quality. You wonder if Porto are deliberately letting O'Shea move forward as he certainly lacks the quality that Neville or Rafael can provide from full-back.[LNB]48 United put about a dozen passes together for the first time in the match, but the move breaks down on the edge of the box as Park is unable to collect Ronaldo's ball back inside.[LNB]46 A nervy sliced clearance from Vidic there under no pressure. Perhaps the nerves have not completely gone from United's play.[LNB]46 United get the second half up and running and it's not hard to envisage them looking a little livelier in the second 45 minutes.[LNB] Sir Alex Ferguson admits it took United 25 minutes to get going, but is confident they can score in the second half. Let's see. Email in your views to mark.buckingham@bskyb.com.[LNB] Man Utd 8/13, Draw 9/5, Porto 6/1.[LNB]Having got themselves back into the match after going a goal down Man Utd are 8/13 to win, with the draw at 9/5 and Porto 6/1. As such heavy favourites for the match, there is little value backing Man Utd, and supporting Porto could be the way to go. In the goalscorer markets Rooney is 9/2 to add to his first goal and Rodriguez is 18/1.[LNB]45 HALF-TIME: United head into the interval at 1-1, but will be thankful they are not trailing after a disappointing first-half performance. Porto were ahead after just four minutes through Rodriguez's crisp finish after Evans followed up Ronaldo's poor pass with an equally poor clearance. United were level on 15 minutes when Rooney seized on Alves' woeful backpass to dink the ball over Helton. Hulk has frightened the life out of Evans and United will have to improve at both ends if they are to take a lead to Portugal next week.[LNB]44 Rooney's enthusiasm in tracking all the way back into his own half is only rewarded with a free-kick to Porto after Hulk is bundled over. It does take something to knock Hulk off his feet.[LNB]43 One thing Hulk is doing very well is picking up on Evans and using his strength against the Northern Ireland youngster. Vidic has been strong when called into action, but Evans has looked shaky against the might of the Hulk![LNB]41 Porto have generally been accurate from long range, but a rare wayward effort from Meireles, who tries to smack one into the top corner from 30 yards, but he skews his shot and is well off target.[LNB]40 Scholes plays from memory there, playing a pass out to Evra on the left before racing into the box to meet the full-back's cross. However, Scholes does not connect cleanly with the header, possibly taking the ball away from Ronaldo and it's a goal-kick.[LNB]39 A little more oomph about United now. Wonderful 50-yard pass from Scholes to pick out Ronaldo on the right edge of the box. He nods the ball into the path of the onrushing Fletcher and his right-footed drive takes a deflection and spins out for a corner, which comes to nothing.[LNB]37 Good move from United there, right up until the final pass. O'Shea exchanges passes with Carrick and then does the same with Fletcher, whose return to the full-back is slightly overhit, possibly over-estimating O'Shea's pace. Maybe a little harsh on O'Shea, but Rafael might have got it![LNB]36 Paul has emailed in to say it might be time for United to go with a proper 4-4-2 system as he has rarely seen them play well with just one up front. Do you agree? Email in at mark.buckingham@bskyb.com.[LNB]35 Hulk is certainly living up to his name with a bulldozing run forward. The ball is eventually slipped through towards Rodriguez, but some strong defending from United sees the danger averted.[LNB]33 The United fans scream for a penalty from behind the Porto goal, but that was never going to be given in a year of Sundays. Fletcher just lost his footing inside the area and had a hopeful look at the referee, but there were no appeals from the United players.[LNB]32 United just do not look sharp tonight, maybe their season is catching up with them, but Porto are first to every 50/50 and have a much greater zip about their passing.[LNB]31 Sporting play from Porto as Helton kicks the ball out for Rooney to catch his breath after a clearance clattered into his midriff. United give the ball back only for Helton to then kick his clearance into touch![LNB]30 Hulk curls a shot wide from just outside the area after more sloppy play from United. First Scholes plays a loose pass towards O'Shea, who then carelessly gives the ball away to put Porto in a promising position. You would not bet against Porto scoring a second at some point tonight.[LNB]28 From that corner, United's defending is again shoddy as Carrick does not pick up Rodriguez properly and he steers a header towards goal, but it is a comfortable save for Van der Sar, who has been by far the busier of the two keepers.[LNB]28 Porto are not afraid to shoot on sight from distance with Meireles chancing his arm from 30 yards. It was a well-struck effort, but at a good height for Van der Sar, who tips it over for a corner.[LNB]26 One such example of Porto breaking well occurred there as Fernando broke up play on the edge of his own box before exchanging quick passes and sprinting into United's half. There was a three-on-three situation, but Fernando was unable to find Rodriguez, with O'Shea's outstretched leg intercepting the pass.[LNB]25 United try to build a bit of pressure by passing from one side of the pitch to the other, but Porto have defended well, aside from Alves' lapse, and look well organised when they haven't got the ball and capable of breaking at will when United's attacks break down.[LNB]23 Not to question Ferguson, but you just wonder if Scholes and Carrick can play together in the same midfield these days, given Scholes no longer has the legs to break forward. It almost seems as though they want to play the same type of role, it's perhaps not as vexing as the Gerrard-Lampard conundrum for England, but just a thought as there is a slight lull in the action.[LNB]22 Ferguson has made a change from the dugout, with Fletcher now pushed out to the right-hand side and Park moving to the left which has allowed Ronaldo to drift into a more central position. This should give Rooney a bit more company in attack.[LNB]20 With three men in central midfield, you would think United should be able to control the tempo of the game, but they are not managing to do that, or protect the defence or even provide Rooney with decent support. The euphoria of the win over Villa seems to have made United more nervous, rather than more confident.[LNB]18 United again struggle with a corner, which is only half cleared. As the ball is played back in from the right-hand side, Rodriguez steals in with a glancing header which goes straight into the grateful arms of Van der Sar. United's defence is all over the place and missing Ferdinand's calm authority.[LNB]17 It's hard not to chuckle at that mistake from Alves, such a basic error at this level should not happen and he can have no complaints if he gets an ear-bashing from his coach at half-time. Porto, though, are soon back on the front foot.[LNB]15 GOAL! United are back on level terms after the sort of mistake that would embarrass a schoolboy. Bruno Alves doesn't bother looking over his shoulder as his backpass is intercepted by Rooney and he lifts his shot over the exposed Helton. Could this be the fillip United needed?[LNB]15 Park has drifted from the right-hand side in the last couple of minutes, but lets himself down with a loose pass into touch. Liverpool fan Kenrick thinks United will soon settled down and go on to win 3-1.[LNB]14 United create their first chance of the game as Rooney feeds O'Shea into space on the right and the full-back's cross to the far post finds Ronaldo. His header is firm and downwards, but the bounce is kind for Helton to push away for a corner. Much better from United.[LNB]12 Fletcher brings down the imposing presence of Hulk 30 yards from goal and the striker lets fly with a fierce shot which takes a deflection and spins out for a corner, which is easily gathered by Van der Sar.[LNB]10 The hosts finally get a little bit of attacking momentum as Park and O'Shea work some room down the right before a loose touch from Carrick sees the move break down and eventually Porto move the ball upfield.[LNB]9 United have yet to have any sustained possession in the game and look unable to cope with the passing and movement of Porto. Is United's record unbeaten run in the Champions League under serious threat? Email your thoughts to mark.buckingham@bskyb.com.[LNB]7 United are wobbling in the early stages of this game. Scholes is the one with a poor attempted clearance that time and Lisandro rifles in a low shot towards the near post, which is easy for Van der Sar to get down to.[LNB]5 Well, I think we may have found out which Porto side has turned up tonight. Ronaldo initially gave the ball away, but the bulk of the blame has to be taken by Evans, whose clearance was poor and he was then slow to close Rodriguez down. That's the 2-0 predictions out of the window as well![LNB]4 GOAL! Porto have taken a shock lead at Old Trafford and it all stemmed from a poor clearance by Jonny Evans, who turned the ball out to Cristian Rodriguez. He cut into the box on his left-foot and curled a fine shot beyond the outstretched hand of Van der Sar into the bottom corner.[LNB]3 Porto have the first shot of the match as Hulk lets fly with a rip-snorter of a shot from 25 yards. Van der Sar sticks out a strong hand to turn the ball away for a corner, which is sliced out of play by Ronaldo for another corner.[LNB]3 Evra's deep cross gives Porto keeper Helton an early touch of the ball. You just wonder if United are going to be able to get the numbers in the box to attack any crosses.[LNB]2 Barely 60 seconds gone and Ronaldo takes a buffeting challenge from Sapunaru on the left-hand side after he had picked up possession inside his own half.[LNB]0 Porto get the game underway at Old Trafford and it appears that Ronaldo is starting on the left-hand side, with Park on the right and Rooney leading the line.[LNB] Which Porto team do you think will turn up tonight? Will it be it the side that beat Arsenal at home, and Dynamo Kiev and Fenerbahce away in the group phase? Or will Porto turn in the sort of horror show that saw them lose 4-0 against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium?[LNB] We've had a couple of emails in from Toronto, with Paul expecting Ronaldo and Rooney to play up front, and Fletcher on the right. He predicts a 2-0 home win, as does Andy Chung, who is backing Park to have a good game.[LNB] United have a mixed record in European competition against Porto, having twice been knocked out by the Portuguese side. Back in 1977/78, Porto won 6-5 on aggregate in the Cup winners' Cup after a 4-0 win in the first leg, with United winning 5-2 at home. Porto famously won in the Champions League last 16 five years ago after a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford secured a 3-2 aggregate success and saw Jose Mourinho dance down the touchline. However, United knocked Porto out of the same competition in 1997 at the quarter-final stage, winning the first leg at home 4-0. Will there be a repeat tonight?[LNB] Predictably Man Utd start tonight's match as 2/5 favourites, with the draw 10/3 and a Porto win looking unlikely at 15/2. For more value you may choose to bet in one of the other markets offered by Skybet. In the goalscorer markets Ronaldo is 7/2 to score first and the weekend's hero Macheda is 5/2 to score at anytime. Those who think this will be a tight affair a 1-0 Man Utd victory is 6/1. If however you think Man Utd will go out to win the tie at Old Trafford 4-0 can be backed at 18/1. If you fancy the visitors tonight then they are 6/1 in the draw no bet market.[LNB] With the teams in, how do you expect United to line up tonight? Will Ronaldo be the man to partner Rooney in attack, with Fletcher on the right, or will Scholes be asked to provide the support? Ronaldo could even start as the main striker, with Rooney on one of the wings? Which way will Sir Alex Ferguson go, and which way do you think will be best? Email in at mark.buckingham@bskyb.com.[LNB]Porto team: Helton; Cristian Sapunaru, Bruno Alves, Rolando, Aly Cissokho; Lucho Gonzalez, Fernando, Raul Meireles; Lisandro Lopez, Hulk, Cristian Rodriguez. Subs: Nuno, Stepanov, Mariano Gonzalez, Costa, Madrid, Farias, Sektioui.[LNB] Porto certainly seem to have come to Old Trafford with a positive mindset as coach Jesualdo Ferreira has plumped for a three-man attack.[LNB]Man Utd team: Van der Sar; O'Shea, Evans, Vidic, Evra; Ronaldo, Carrick, Fletcher, Scholes, Park; Rooney. Subs: Foster, Neville, Eckersley, Nani, Giggs, Tevez, Macheda.[LNB] The team news has reached us and United make four changes to the team which started the win over Aston Villa, while Sunday's sensation Federico Macheda keeps his place on the bench. Nemanja Vidic, Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney return from a domestic suspension, while Park Ji-sung is recalled. Gary Neville, Nani, Carlos Tevez and Ryan Giggs drop to the bench.[LNB] Welcome to live coverage of tonight's UEFA Champions League quarter-final, first-leg tie between Manchester United and Porto at Old Trafford. We will keep up to date with all the action from the game and you can also send in your views to me, at mark.buckingham@bskyb.com.[LNB]
