Wayne Rooney - 2 goals in Milan

Manchester United secured an historic win at the San Siro as they drew first blood in an enthralling Champions League last-16 tie with AC Milan. Wayne Rooney was the match-winner with a brace of second-half headers to earn United a precious first-leg advantage. They came after Paul Scholes’ fortunate equaliser but Milan played their part after Ronaldinho’s deflected opener. Clarence Seedorf’s skilful 85th-minute finish gave Milan hope, while Michael Carrick was sent off in injury time. Carrick’s second yellow card – for kicking the ball away – capped a frantic finale as Milan, who had bossed the opening hour, threatened to deny United a first win in the stadium.  And that, combined with Seedorf’s late goal, served to take the edge off the win, even though United showed just about enough to suggest they can keep Milan at bay in the second leg on 10 March. It was a strange affair for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men, who in many ways can consider themselves fortunate to have come away with the win after a first hour in which they looked a shadow of a side that has gone nine games unbeaten.

Before the match, Ferguson had talked pointedly of avoiding the “circus” that surrounded David Beckham’s first match against his former employers.  But whether they had been caught up in the pre-match hype or merely overwhelmed by the occasion, United barely got out of first gear in a nervy half-hour.  Poor in possession, toothless in attack and ill-organised in defence, the visitors allowed Milan the freedom of the San Siro as the hosts quickly got into their stride.  Just three minutes were on the clock when a Beckham free-kick found its way to Ronaldinho via a dire attempted clearance from Patrice Evra, and the Brazilian wasted little time in lashing home, via a Carrick deflection, for the opening goal.

In truth, though, it could have been a lot worse for Ferguson’s men before half-time as they gave the ball away cheaply time and again.  Before the match, Ferguson had talked pointedly of avoiding the “circus” that surrounded David Beckham’s first match against his former employers.  But whether they had been caught up in the pre-match hype or merely overwhelmed by the occasion, United barely got out of first gear in a nervy half-hour. Poor in possession, toothless in attack and ill-organised in defence, the visitors allowed Milan the freedom of the San Siro as the hosts quickly got into their stride.  Just three minutes were on the clock when a Beckham free-kick found its way to Ronaldinho via a dire attempted clearance from Patrice Evra, and the Brazilian wasted little time in lashing home, via a Carrick deflection, for the opening goal.

However, with Rooney an increasingly unsettling presence for the Milan defence, there was always a chance United would spark and when they finally clicked into gear just past the hour mark, the visitors finally showed their class.  First Rooney rose above Daniele Bonera to expertly head home substitute Antonio Valencia’s cross.  Then, unmarked, he executed the far simpler task of heading in Fletcher’s clever pass just eight minutes later to hand his side a two-goal cushion.  With Milan looking out on their feet, and Beckham having been withdrawn in the 72nd minute after a largely ineffective display, the tie looked to be there for United to put beyond doubt.

And yet there was still a twist left in the tie as Ronaldinho found room on the left and crossed for Seedorf to flick in Milan’s second.  The hosts might even have snatched a thrilling draw had Filippo Inzaghi not blazed over from Ronaldinho’s pass or Thiago Silva not headed over from a corner in injury time.  But United held on to secure a vital first-leg lead, extending their unbeaten away run in Europe to a record 16 matches in the process and ensuring Beckham’s first match against his boyhood club was not one he will remember with any great fondness. BBC Sport.

Tags: AC Milan, beckham, champions league, man utd