The surprising news was that Wayne Rooney was fit to start, even though he had been ruled out for 2-3 weeks only a few days ago. United got off to the best possible start eight days ago and we did as well today.
With only three minutes on the clock United took the lead. Rafael Da Silva ran with the ball from the United half, he found Rooney, who got the ball to Darron Gibson and his strike from outside the penalty area went past Hans-Jorg Butt.
The lead was doubled only four minutes later, Rooney found Antonio Valencia out on the wing, he controlled the ball, ran at Holger Badstuber, crossed the ball into the area and Luis Nani was there to cheekily flick the ball past the keeper.
After Rooney was named in the starting line-up many fans were wondering how fit Rooney was and what if he suffers a reoccurrence of the injury? It looked like he may have suffered a similar injury after being kicked by Daniel Van Buyton but it did look like he had managed to run it off. We now know that Rooney is doubtful for the game against Blackburn Rovers this weekend but should have recovered for the Manchester derby.
United should have added to that lead half an hour in after Rafael was put through on goal but his shot fell wide of the post. Man United looked home and dry four minutes before half time after Nani scored his second of the game and United’s third. Valencia recived the ball down United’s right, he ran into the penalty area and pulled the ball back, Rooney let it roll and Nani was there to stick it into the top of the net.
Just a minute before that Edwin Van Der Sar had to make a vital block after Ivica Olic was about to unleash a strike. It looked like we were going to head into half time 3-0 up and with a clean sheet but with only two minutes remaining, Bayern pulled one back.
Thomas Muller headed the ball on for Olic, Michael Carrick slipped and Olic was able to put the ball past Van Der Sar from a tight angle. That gave Bayern some confidence and they ended the half on a high.
With just 40 minutes to play, United were reduced to 10 men after Rafael received a second yellow card. They were two stupid yellow cards to receive but it was twice that he showed his inexperience; he’s young and will learn. The most infuriating thing about it was the Bayern Munich player’s reactions; they surrounded the referee to show the second yellow, which he did. You don’t like to see this from any team and all teams do it.
Not only was that a blow for United but not long after the sending off, Rooney had to be taken off due to a slight injury he picked up. Rooney was replaced by long term absentee John O’Shea.
With United down to 10 men the initiative was handed to Bayern and they went on the hunt for the all-important second goal, which they got.
With 72 minutes played Franck Ribery’s corner found Arjen Robben and his volley flew past Van Der Sar. That goal meant that United had to score so Sir Alex Ferguson brought on Dimitar Berbatov and Ryan Giggs for Carrick and Gibson.
Before Bayern scored that second goal it seemed like time was dragging but once they had, time flew by. United were unable to score and as a result, knocked out of the Champions League.
The players will be incredibly disappointed but now they have to lift themselves for the game against Blackburn Rovers this weekend. We are still in the race for the Premier League title, Chelsea can still slip up and if they do we must make the most of it.
