New Delhi: All the pre-match hype between Manchester United and Ac Milan centered on David Beckham's return to play against his former club.
Beckham, on loan at Milan from Los Angeles Galaxy, started the Champions League first knockout round and was seen soon in action when his free kick led to Ronaldinho grabbing a third-minute opener. United who had never won at San-Siro found themselves 1-0 down just after three minutes.
It was AC Milan all over the English Champions in the first 30 minutes. Their twist and turns were not matched by far from the best Red Devil side. I had the feeling once again that AC Milan’s perfect home record at their own den will remain intact and United will go into the second leg trailing at least two-to-three goals down.
United were playing with their famous Champions League formation 4-5-1, but it was of no use as all the five midfielders struggled with or without the ball. Milan’s wide play was at its very best with Ronaldinho turning the clock. His runs were superb, his ball control and passing was perfect and it looked like men against boys for the first 30 minutes.
I could see United’s coach Sir Alex getting frustrated sitting on the stands as he continuously had a word with his assistant about the formation and their play. I guess Rossoneri could have gone three to four goals ahead with other chances, too, one of which on another day could have found the net.
But failure to convert all those chances come back to haunt Milan, with just half time around the corner, United's Paul Scholes netted a lucky equalizer with much frustration for the Milan team and the fans alike.
And I guess half time came at the right time for Man United as they were second best mostly throughout the first half. The ‘famous hair dryer’ treatment was waiting for them in the dressing room.
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United started the second half from where they had left off and this time it was AC Mialan's midfield’s turn to get stick. The wide play of United improved as the game progressed and Becks and Andrew Pirlo was left frustrated on the pitch with less ball possession. The best tactical change by Fergie was to use Fletcher more in an attacking role rather than in defensive midfield and it showed as the game progressed with Milan having no answer to United’s attack-in play.
Just when United were looking a better side, there was another masterstroke by Fergie - he replaced the ineffective Nani with Valencia, who with his pace and skill easily dominated the attacking play. His crosses and passes were just world class and it was his ability which provided Rooney with his first European goal this season.
At that time I had a feeling it’s all over for Milan as United were just playing like true English Champions and their pin-point passing and one-touch football will make it difficult for the aged Milan side. Rooney, who has been just amazing this season, once again proved that he is the best footballer in the world at the moment.
Within a few minutes Rooney again showed that he is as good with his head as he is with his foot. His pin-point header passed Dida to make it 3-1 and it was all over for Milan. I was left thinking if United could do a late burst and create pressure and net in their fourth or even a fifth goal. The dejected and drooping shoulder of the Milan defenders was evidence enough that they had just completely given up on the wide play of United and had come a cropper against Rooney's pace.
But the worst point in the match came late when Milan were able to reduce the margin of victory due to some lazy defending by the United defenders and I was left wondering if this goal could come back to haunt United in their second leg at the Theatre of Dreams.
United really would have to improve their defensive play in the second leg otherwise anything could be possible as Aston Villa, Leeds United have already shown that Manchester United are not unbeatable at Old Trafford.
Come March 10, all the United fans including me will be excited watching Beckham return to what was his home for many years. It will also be the day for United where they surely would like to finish the unfinished business without any hiccups. I will have my fingers crossed and would be praying to God that United’s central defenders Ferdinand and Vidic are fit by then to make Milan's task a harder one. And it will be as the anthem sings: Glory Glory Man United!
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