The Match: Reds Show Pride

After our match report, we take a closer look at the battling draw with Bayern Munich...

The match Most people felt Manchester United would be embarrassed by the reigning Champions League holders and a side acknowledged to be the best in Europe. Yet the Reds should never be written off and a display of pride and passion lifted the Old Trafford crowd. Granted, Bayern had plenty of the ball, posting 70 per cent possession, but United had the best chance of the first half when Danny Welbeck was denied by Manuel Neuer when clean through. Nemanja Vidic's header may have been cancelled out by Bastian Schweinsteiger, who was sent off in the closing stages, but David Moyes' men are still very much in the tie ahead of the journey to Bavaria next week.

The goals Wayne Rooney's corner found Vidic in space and the skipper guided a perfect headed finish wide of Neuer to spark jubilant scenes around the ground. Schweinsteiger then latched onto Mario Mandzukic's knock-down to bury a rising shot beyond David De Gea to respond with a crucial equaliser and away goal. Both efforts were beautifully simple in their execution.

Star man Three of United's back four were nominated for the Man of the Match award by MUTV pundits Danny Higginbotham and Ron Atkinson. Alex Büttner, Nemanja Vidic and Phil Jones put their bodies on the line and performed with real aggression and commitment throughout.

Sub-plot Matches with Bayern will always evoke special memories of the dramatic 1999 final in Barcelona but the Germans have held the upper hand since that incredible night. United were bigger odds to win at home with the bookmakers than anybody could remember, with many people writing off the chances of progression as soon as the draw was made.

The opposition Pep Guardiola's classy side have already wrapped up another Bundesliga title and are tipped to become the first club to retain the Champions League. The Spaniard has implemented a possession game to match the one he employed at Barcelona and their financial muscle has proved crucial in the transfer market, with an awe-inspiring collection of midfield players at the coach's disposal. With noisy backing throughout, Bayern are a super-club in every sense of the word.

Move of the match United found it hard to slice through the defence with flowing moves, but Rooney did well to get his head to a Giggs centre with Welbeck collecting the ball and, despite slipping, feeding it wide to Valencia. The winger tried his luck from a difficult angle but the ball deflected out for a corner.

In the stands Old Trafford saluted a brave performance from a team that has taken criticism this term from all quarters in the media. A mosaic before the game was well received and, although Bayern's visiting fans were vociferous, they were more than matched by the home support.