IN 2008, Manchester United edged out Chelsea in Moscow on a night of elation, heartbreak and pure drama at the Luzhniki Stadium.English football was in rude health, with both Champions League finalists coming from the Premier League, as well as a further semi-finalist in Arsenal.
Man Utd’s Moscow XI would go down in club folklore
And practically on the banks of the Moskva River, both sides played their part in a night that supporters will never forget.
Cristiano Ronaldo gave the Red Devils a first-half lead, producing a mind-bending leap to meet Wes Brown’s cross and turn it past goalkeeper Petr Cech.
Avram Grant’s Blues didn’t lie down, however, and Frank Lampard equalised on the stroke of half-time.
Tension grew as the game went to extra time, and then penalties – but not before Didier Drogba had gotten himself sent off for slapping Nemanja Vidic late on.
This robbed Chelsea of one of their best penalty takers – but things were going well for them with Ronaldo having missed… and John Terry would step up to win it for the Blues.
His subsequent slip and miss – followed by tears of anguish – would go down in football folklore… and prove costly – with United going on to snatch victory 6-5 in the shoot-out.
But what has become of the Red Devils’ Moscow heroes? 13 years on, SunSport are on hand to take a look.
EDWIN VAN DER SAR
The legendary goalkeeper was a pillar for the Red DevilsCredit: PA:Press Association
He now works as CEO for AjaxCredit: REUTERS
The legendary Dutch keeper, who crucially saved Nicolas Anelka’s penalty that night, played on for three further years at United.
He retired after another Champions League final in 2011, but this time was helpless as Messi and Co ran riot at Wembley in one of the most accomplished performances of all time.
At 50, he has now returned to his first professional club Ajax as CEO.
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WES BROWN
Brown delivered the cross for Ronaldo to score that night in MoscowCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Brown has done off-pitch work for UnitedCredit: Getty – Contributor
Like van der Sar, Brown also left Old Trafford in 2011 – but saw the remainder of his career dogged by injuries.
He managed only 76 league appearances in five years at Sunderland – with the majority of them at centre-half rather than right-back.
He called time on his career in 2018 after brief spells with Blackburn Rovers and Kerala Blasters in India – and is now mostly seen doing punditry work – including for MUTV.
RIO FERDINAND
Ferdinand was a rock at the back alongside VidicCredit: AFP – Getty
He now does regular punditry work for BT SportCredit: PA:Press Association
A legendary figure at the back alongside Vidic, Ferdinand would captain United and England following this historic night.
The rangy defender scored the final winning goal of Sir Alex Ferguson’s illustrious reign against Swansea in 2013, before departing for Queens Park Rangers a year later.
He couldn’t prevent relegation for the West Londoners and retired in 2015 – he is now seen regularly as a pundit for BT Sport.
NEMANJA VIDIC
Vidic departed Old Trafford in 2014Credit: PA:Press Association
He has since returned to watch United on occasionsCredit: Reuters
The Serbian became a bona fide legend at Old Trafford, but like Ferdinand called time on his United career after David Moyes’ ill-fated tenure.
He would then play a season at Inter Milan, but with his best days behind him he retired in January 2016.
Now 39 and father of three children, Vidic has stayed in Milan – but does perform occasional ambassadorial duties for the Red Devils – and has completed his coaching badges ahead of a potential day-to-day return to the game.
PATRICE EVRA
Evra was routinely excellent for UnitedCredit: AFP
He has recently been getting in pristine shape… and he certainly loves this gameCredit: Instagram / @patrice.evra
Yet another member of this side to leave in 2014 after the defence began to creak under Moyes, Evra would still have a few years left in the game.
He won titles with Juventus before being sacked by Marseille for an altercation with a fan.
Evra then had a brief spell at West Ham in 2018 before retiring and now 40, he is most often seen bellowing “I love this game” to anyone who will listen, or working on his coaching badges.
OWEN HARGREAVES
Hargreaves was later labelled a ‘disaster’ by Sir AlexCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
He regularly provides punditry on BT Sport, particularly on Bundesliga sidesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Having impressed in his first year at Old Trafford culminating in this match, unfortunately the rest of Hargreaves’ career would be plagued by injuries – featuring just five more times in three further years at United.
He was later scathingly described in Ferguson’s book, with the Scot writing: “When I signed him there was something about him I didn’t like. It turned out to be a disaster.”
Bizarrely he crossed the Manchester divide to play four times for City in the 2011-12 season before retiring, and now aged 40 regularly covers the Bundesliga for BT Sport.
PAUL SCHOLES
Scholes won his second Champions League medal that nightCredit: AFP
He later had a brief spell managing OldhamCredit: PA:Press Association
Another true Red Devils legend, he became even more revered in the tail end of his career after the role of deep-lying playmaker became popularised by Andrea Pirlo.
He initially retired in 2011, before reconsidering and returning to action in January 2012 – eventually calling it a day for good in 2013 at the same time as Ferguson.
Now 46 he has business interests with Gary Neville – including at Salford City FC – and even briefly managed boyhood club Oldham Athletic. Scholes is another that regularly provides analysis for BT Sport.
MICHAEL CARRICK
Carrick was Mr Dependable for UnitedCredit: PA:Empics Sport
He now works as Ole Gunanr Solskjaer’s right-hand manCredit: Reuters
Always understated, Carrick appeared to belatedly gain more and more appreciation as his career began to wind down – eventually retiring in 2018.
The Englishman was made United captain in his late Old Trafford career, but managed only five appearances in his final season after requiring a medical procedure for an irregular heart rhythm.
Now aged 40, he works as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s right-hand man as part of United’s coaching staff.
CRISTIANO RONALDO
Cristiano Ronaldo would win the first of many European crowns that night in MoscowCredit: PA:Press Association
At 35 he is still going strong at JuventusCredit: Getty Images – Getty
This match was the culmination of a season in which Ronaldo became untouchable.
He would scoop his first Ballon d’Or later in 2008, before breaking United hearts and transferring to Real Madrid the following year.
After nine astonishing seasons at the Bernabeu in which he scored 450 goals in 438 games, he moved to Juventus in 2018.
Then this past summer he made a sensational return to Old Trafford and has already scored five times in seven games during his second spell.
CARLOS TEVEZ
Tevez donned an Argentina shirt as he lifted the famous trophy in MoscowCredit: EPA
And he is still lifting trophies at the age of 36Credit: AFP or licensors
Carlos Tevez was a favourite at Old Trafford for his blend of dogged determination and rich skill… but would do the dirty on them a year later.
In 2009 he controversially switched red for blue and signed for Manchester City – prompting the infamous “Welcome to Manchester” billboard.
He left English football for a successful period at Juventus in 2013, but after a dreadful spell at Shanghai Shenhua, Tevez returned for a third stint at boyhood club Boca Juniors – where at 37 he helped scooped a league title last year.
But he left the club in the summer of 2021.
WAYNE ROONEY
Rooney was on his way to becoming United’s all-time leading goalscorerCredit: PA:Press Association
Wayne Rooney is now managing Derby CountyCredit: PA
A modern day Manchester United legend, Rooney is undoubtedly one of the finest players to ever pull on the red shirt.
There were a few bumps along the way, however, having seemingly agitated for moves to City and Chelsea before becoming United’s all-time leading goalscorer.
He left in 2017 for a return to boyhood club Everton – before moving stateside for a popular spell at DC United. Wazza can now be found managing Derby County in the Championship aged 35.
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SUBSTITUTES
Among the replacements that night in Moscow, Giggs now manages WalesCredit: EPA
The first replacement Ferguson drew upon was Ryan Giggs, with the Welshman going on to score the winning spot-kick. The Red Devils’ all-time leading appearance holder now manages his country after a stint on United’s coaching staff.
Nani also appeared in extra time, and would represent United until 2015 – although he faded after Ferguson’s departure. After a nomadic spell since, he can now be found at 34 playing for Orlando City in MLS.
Ferguson drew upon Anderson deep into extra-time purely to take a penalty – which he duly scored. Injuries curtailed his promising career and he retired in September at 31 after a spell in Turkey’s second tier.
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