MANCHESTER UNITED are looking for their first victory over Bayern Munich in 13 years when they face the German giants at Allianz Arena this evening.
The Red Devils enjoyed their greatest ever triumph against Bayern in 1999, completing the Treble thanks to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s late heroics in Barcelona.
United have had scarce success against the Bundesliga champions since, winning just one of their subsequent eight meetings.
That victory came on April 7, 2010 – a 3-2 Old Trafford triumph that still saw Sir Alex Ferguson’s men eliminated on away goals at the quarter-final stage.
The Red Devils went into the match trailing 2-1 from the first leg, but came roaring out the blocks – taking a 3-0 lead on the night via a Darron Gibson goal and Nani double.
Ivica Olic pulled one back for Bayern on the stroke of half-time, before Arjen Robben’s stunning strike on 74 minutes broke United hearts.
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Ferguson started with experienced stopper Edwin van der Sar in goal, behind a back four comprised of Rafael, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra.
Nani and Antonio Valencia were deployed on the wings, with Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher and Gibson packing the midfield.
Wayne Rooney led the line on his own, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez having departed the previous summer.
Ferguson brought John O’Shea on for Rooney on 55 minutes to try to defend his side’s lead.
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When chasing a goal late on, he turned to Dimitar Berbatov and Ryan Giggs,
Also on the bench that night was forgotten cult hero Federico Macheda.
Jonny Evans, who made a surprise return to the club this summer, was also a substitute, alongside Tomasz Kuszczak and Paul Scholes.
Bayern, managed by Louis van Gaal, started with veteran Hans-Jorg Butt in goal, behind Philipp Lahm, Daniel van Buyten, Martin Demichelis and Holger Badstuber in defence.
Future United star Bastian Schweinsteiger, at this point in his pomp, was alongside Mark van Bommel in the middle – with Robben and Franck Ribery on the flanks.
Wily forward Olic partnered Thomas Muller in attack – while Bayern called on Mario Gomez, Hamit Altintop and Danijel Pranjic from the bench.
Bayern went on to beat Lyon 4-0 on aggregate in the semi-finals, before falling 2-0 to Inter Milan in the final courtesy of Diego Milito’s double.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
