Robin van Persie netted a hat-trick to inspire Manchester United to a thrilling 3-0 victory (3-2 on aggregate) over Olympiacos and send the Reds through to the Champions League quarter-finals. Not since 1984 – indeed, 30 years ago this week – had United turned around a two-goal first-leg deficit in Europe. But on Wednesday, in front of a raucous Old Trafford crowd, van Persie’s treble ensured David Moyes’ maiden European voyage remained on course for Lisbon and gave United fans a thrilling night to remember. But while the Dutchman will deservedly dominate the column inches, David De Geas stunning double save on 40 minutes – first from David Fusters bullet header and then Alejandro Dominguezs follow-up at the near post – proved just as pivotal. Nobody would have blamed the Spaniard had either effort found the net but he saved both brilliantly to preserve the 1-0 lead earned when van Persie had earlier opened the scoring from the penalty spot. Five minutes after De Gea’s double denial, in first-half injury time, RvP swept home Wayne Rooneys cross from close range. United were 2-0 up, level on aggregate and, crucially, in possession of the momentum and confidence that would ultimately carry the Reds to victory. Van Persie sealed his hat-trick just six minutes into the second period, curling home a free-kick from 25 yards that had Olympiacos goalkeeper Roberto fooled, rooted to the spot. There were then nervy moments to endure, particularly when De Gea was called into action again at his near post to beat out Dominguez’s blast, but the Reds held on to claim a famous victory. Match Report: Manchester United 3 v. Persie (p 25; 45; 51) Olympiacos 0 (Agg. 3-2) UEFA Champions League, Knock-out Round of 16, Second Leg, Wednesday, 19 March 2014, Old Trafford, Attendance: 74,662. Manchester United: De Gea; Rafael, Jones, Ferdinand, Evra; Valencia, Carrick, Giggs, Welbeck; Rooney, van Persie. Subs: Lindegaard, Young, Januzaj, Kagawa, Fletcher, Fellaini, Chicharito. Olympiacos: Roberto; Salino, Manolas, Marcano, Holebas; Perez, NDinga, Dominguez, Maniatis, Fuster; Campbell. Subs: Megyeri, Machado, Samaris, Valdez, Papadopoulos, Vergos, Bong. The Reds booked a place in the last eight with a 3-2 aggregate win over Olympiacos (3-0 on Wednesday night) and now join Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in the pot. Hope United perform like Champions throughout the season. The new era of Players and Manager are now to build up a better side for United Future. Hope Manchester United wins more Titles this season. Believed Champ20ns, Glory Glory Man United.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 03:10:41 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015