Source: Manchester_EveningNews
United 3 Bayern Munich 2 (agg 4-4, Bayern win on away goals)
Arjen Robben's stunning second-half volley knocked Manchester United out of the Champions League as Bayern Munich gained revenge for 1999.[LNB] The Reds started the night in thrilling fashion with Darron Gibson and Nani scoring inside the first seven minutes.[LNB] When Nani scored again to make it 3-0 for United - for whom Wayne Rooney started - the home side were cruising but Ivica Olic scored just before the break to give the visitors hope. Rafael was then sent off shortly after the interval for a second yellow before Robben cracked home a volley from the edge of the box to send the Germans through on the away goals rule. The victory means Louis Van Gaal's men have gained revenge for United's dramatic tournament victory at the Nou Camp in 1999 when Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored late on. Ahead of the game, Rooney's inclusion was a major shock. It was just a week since he'd limped back home to Prestbury with his right foot encased in a protective boot and even Prime Minister Gordon Brown taking note of his accident. The fact the most successful manager of all time was prepared to choose not full fit Rooney above a £30.75m club record buy says it all about the talisman. Not only that but what does it also say about Dimitar Berbatov? It appeared to be more the mere presence of Rooney that got United off to a screaming start. The Germans couldn't handle it and Rooney's first golden touch justified Fergie's gamble as he touched off a pass into Gibson's path. If Fergie had conned Van Gaal over the Rooney selection he'd also pulled a fast one by promoting Gibson to his starting XI. Bayern's Dutch coach mustn't have done his homework on the Irishman because his side backed off and seemed to have one eye on the lurking Rooney waiting for a return. The midfielder, however, let rip with one of his trademark drilled efforts and Old Trafford was rocking. It was soon two when Antonio Valencia patiently waited before he crossed for Nani to cheekily drag a backheel into the net.that brought back memories of Lee Sharpe circa 1994. With Rafael and Patrice Evra excellently snuffing out the twin threat of Franck Ribery and Robben Bayern were shellshocked and unable to respond to the onslaught. United start The cacophony inside Old Trafford was temporarily silenced after 21 minutes when Van Buyten whacked Rooney on his suspect right ankle and the striker grimaced and limped. The crowd encouraged him to run it off and he did despite another crude attempt by the ex City loan player to hospitalize the hitman. Bayern finally stirred and Robben's first influence ended with Olic in a one-on-one with Edwin Van der Sar. The big Dutchman bravely won the duel. United responded to the German's first hint of danger by going 3-0 up in the 41st minute.[LNB] Valencia again exposed the inadequacies of Badstuber and his cross eventually found Nani again and the winger thumped in a blistering shot.[LNB] But it wouldn't be United if they didn't manage to draw out some more drama from a potential Euro stroll.[LNB] They were all at sea defensively with half time approaching and it left Michael Carrick in a desperate struggle to fend off Olic. United's midfielder didn't have the strength to win the struggle and the Croatian, who'd scored the winner in the Allianz Arena last week, drove in Munich's lifeline.[LNB] They had a firmer grip on that lifeline when the Reds were reduced to ten men five minutes into the second half.[LNB] For the first time Rafael couldn't contain Ribery legally and he pulled the Frenchman back as he threatened to break away.[LNB] It earned him a yellow card to go alongside the one he'd received in the first half for a foul on Mark Van Bommel and it left United a man short for 40 minutes.[LNB] But the question wasn't just could the Reds survive with a man down but could they also stand 35 minutes without Rooney who finally had to give in and Fergie went to defend the lead rather than extend it as John O'Shea filled in for Rafael's absence. It all proved heartbreakingly too much. From being 3-0 up after 41 minutes and seemingly coasting Old Trafford was once again getting those well worn worry beads out.[LNB] The Germans were not surprisingly revitalised by the double whammy United had suffered and they took control.[LNB] The killer second away goal that you feared was approaching arrived in spectacular style in the 74th minute.[LNB] Ribery's corner was met with a full blooded Paul Scholes-like volley from Robben.[LNB] It was his last act of the night but despite Berbatov and Giggs being thrown on in a late desperate search for an aggregate winning goal the one man advantage and no Rooney was just too much for United and Madrid on May 22 became a broken dream.[LNB] What is your verdict on the game? Have your say. [LNB]
