Manchester United 2 Marseille 1: (agg 2-1) Javier Hernandez scores twice to put United through

17 March 2011 02:47
[LNB]In the end there were two moments ofpure fantasy and other times when Didier Deschamps might have had apoint about this Manchester United side. [LNB]They did look inferior to their more recent predecessors and they almost suffered as a consequence. Butthe reality is this: Sir Alex Ferguson has guided his men through tothe last eight of the Champions League for a fifth successive seasonand Marseille, for all their efforts here at Old Trafford, are out. [LNB]United go into Friday's quarterfinaldraw because of a quite wonderful fifth minute goal that was created bythe excellent Wayne Rooney and then converted by Javier Hernandez, whocombined so effectively with the Englishman. [LNB] Happy days: Hernandez celebrates after scoring his first goal[LNB] [LNB]The Mexican then doubled the advantage 15 minutes from time and so eased the considerable pressure on the home side. [LNB]But the relative comfort of thatposition was one they only enjoyed for eight minutes, Wes Browncrowning a poor individual display with a header that flew into his ownnet and so left United just a single away goal from elimination. [LNB]With Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinandboth missing with injury this was always likely to be difficult and soit proved. Had Marseille been able to finish one of the many chancesthey created, they would now be reflecting on a fine victory. [LNB] Perfect start: Hernandez gives United the lead early on[LNB]That, however, is what is soimpressive about United this season. They are by no means perfect butthey still sit at the summit of the Barclays Premier League, andalready heading to Wembley for an FA Cup semi-final with ManchesterCity and continue to stand prominently among the European elite.[LNB]They have a winning habit andnowhere has that been more evident this season than on their own turf.As Ferguson said in his programme notes last night, they have droppedonly two points in the league all season here. [LNB]Teamwork: Hernandez thanks Rooney for the pinpoint cross[LNB]He also devoted much ofhis column to that jibe from Deschamps, and so revealed how much itirked him. [LNB]As well as insisting this team canproduce its fair share of 'magic' and informing the Marseille managerit would be wrong to 'underestimate the boys of today', he alsoanswered anyone who thought those back-to-back defeats by Chelsea andLiverpool pointed to a season unravelling.[LNB]'We are not about to crumble,' declared United's boss.[LNB]Victory here last night might justhave demonstrated as much, even if Saturday's 2-0 win against Arsenalin the FA Cup had already suggested they were far from finished thisseason. [LNB]To progress to the last eight, andso maintain that pursuit of a second Treble, will do United'sconfidence no harm and if they can now cement their position at thesummit of the Premier League with a win at home to Bolton this weekend,those setbacks at Stamford Bridge and Anfield could soon become adistant memory. [LNB]That Nani returned last night was atimely bonus too. Meetings with West Ham and Fulham follow the Boltongame and if this was another sign that Rooney is coming back into form,that too bodes well for United. [LNB]The absence of Vidic as well asFerdinand must have encouraged Deschamps. Particularly when Fergusonhad said the Serb's calf problem, while forcing him to miss trainingyesterday, would not keep him out of the game. [LNB]But a French team that came herehaving not conceded a goal in five Champions League matches were behindafter only five minutes. [LNB] It owed much to the touch, skill andvision of Rooney, who sent Ryan Giggs clear down the left flank with asuperb first-time ball before then receiving it back and playing itinto the path of an unmarked Hernandez.[LNB] Marseille's defenders claimed foroffside but the Mexican was level when he seized on Rooney's pass andscored with ease from close range. [LNB]MATCH FACTSManchester United (4-4-2): Van der Sar 6; O'Shea 6 (Rafael 36min, 6) (Fabio 70, 6), Smalling 6, Brown 4, Evra 6; Nani 6 (Valencia 62, 6), Carrick 5, Scholes 7, Giggs 7; Hernandez 8, Rooney 8. Subs not used: Kuszczak, Berbatov, Obertan, Gibson.Booked: Hernandez.[LNB]Marseille (4-1-4-1): Mandanda 6; Fanni 5, Diawara 7, Heinze 5, Taiwo 6; M'bia 7 (J Ayew 80); A Ayew 6, Cheyrou 7, Gonzalez 7, Remy 6; Gignac 6 (Valbuena 69, 6). Subs not used: Andrade, Hilton, Cisse, Kabore, Abriel.Booked: Valbuena, Remy.[LNB]Man of the match: Wayne Rooney.[LNB]Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo (Spain) 7.[LNB]That Marseille very nearly hit backimmediately would have concerned Ferguson. Especially when Andre-PierreGignac really should have scored, Andre Ayew's clever flick leaving himwith only Edwin van der Sar to beat.Fortunately for United, the Francestriker's first time effort drifted hopelessly high and wide. [LNB]But United continued to lookhesitant at the back. Chris Smalling has been playing well recently butalongside Brown he seemed far less comfortable, the sight of them goingfor the same ball and both missing it only adding to the sense ofanxiety among the home crowd. [LNB]The French side could have scoredagain in the 35th minute when Brown lost his man. He should have beenthere to intercept a cross from Taye Taiwo but centre back SouleymaneDiawara was granted a free header, only to direct it wide. [LNB]Loic Remy went dangerously close with a fiercely struck volley, while Gabriel Heinze also threatened against his old club. [LNB]But when Antonio Valencia, on as a substitute, sent Giggs clear, the Welshman presented Hernandez with another simple finish. [LNB]United should have then strolled toan easy victory. But thanks to Brown, who under pressure from Heinzedirected a Lucho Gonzalez corner across the line before Paul Scholesthen cleared in vain, there were yet more anxious moments. [LNB]  Pea is for perfect! Hernandez is United's hero against Marseille and Rooney roars: Bring on BarcelonaManchester United 2 Marseille 1 - all the action as it unfolded Martin Samuel: Now Fabio Capello can feed off a slice of the old Wayne RooneyFergie recalls Amos following news Lindegaard has undergone surgeryUnited striker Hernandez surprised at immediate impact in English footballAll the latest Manchester United news, features and opinion[LNB]  Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney, Gabriel Heinze, Nemanja Vidic, Antonio Valencia, Edwin Van Der Sar, Nani Places: Spain

Source: Daily_Mail