Manchester United vs. Braga: Champions League Live Score, Highlights, Recap
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Manchester United 3-2 Braga, Old Trafford, Full TIme
In true Manchester United fashion, the Red Devils came from two goals down before establishing a second-half grip on their Champions League tie to go ahead against Braga, thanks to a goal in each half courtesy of Javier Hernandez.
Braga striker, Alan, ensured that the hosts didn't have an easy time with things, but scored what was ultimately a meaningless brace in the first 45 minutes.
That being said, United can still be wary of their trip to Portugal, where Braga will be striving to claim all three points in the reverse fixture.
Starting Lineups
Manchester United: De Gea, Rafael, Evans, Carrick, Buttner, Fletcher, Cleverley, Kagawa, Rooney, Hernandez, Van Persie
Subs: Johnstone, Ferdinand, Anderson, Giggs, Nani, Young, Welbeck
Scorers: Hernandez (25', 75') Evans 62'
Braga: Beto, Coelho, Elderson, Vinícius, Amorim, Rúben Micael, Salino, Custódio, Alan, Viana, Éder
Subs: Quim, Mossoro, Barbose, da Solva, Baiano, Ze Luis, Capela
Scorers: Alan (2', 20')
Full Time
You don't get to the stature of which Manchester United boast by doing things the easy way and this was another classic example of Manchester United taking the hard route.
Despite falling down the pecking order in recent months, Javier Hernandez showed that Sir Alex Ferguson's faith in him was well-placed by netting a goal in each half, rounding off a sensational comeback for the home team.
Manchester United fans will be aware of how good this side has become at resilient displays, but the 3-2 victory will tast no less sweet to the Red Devils fraternity, continuing their perfect run in the Champions League this season.
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90'+3—MANU 3-2 BRA
One last throw of the proverbial dice for Braga here as Beto launches the ball into United's half in the hopes of delivering a last gasp chance.
The home team rapidly recollect their ball and play a quick game of keepaway before Milorad Mazic blows for full time.
90'—MANU 3-2 BRA
The fourth official tells us that there's to be three minutes of added time at Old Trafford.
89'—MANU 3-2 BRA
After a scrappy period in midfield, the Manchester United engine have now taken a firm grip of matters in the centre of the park and are passing the ball about with some security.
In the end, it looks like a classic case of a lack of stamina for the visitors and an all too familiar case of "Manchester United syndrome."
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86'—Substitution (BRAGA)
Alan is the second player to be taken off tonight after netting a delightful double.
The Brazilian is replaced Marcio Mossoro, a midfielder by trade.
84'—MANU 3-2 BRA
While the comeback might be complete, it isn't yet sealed and Braga are showing that with some late attacking darts.
The Portuguese outfit have been very poor at the back for periods, but have really taken advantage of United's defensive shortcomings for others.
Don't you dare touch that remote.
79'—Substitutions (MANU & BRA)
Javier Hernandez won't be grabbing his hat-trick after making way for Ryan Giggs while Helder Barbosa comes on in place of Braga midfielder, Ruben Anorim.
75'—GOOAAALLLLLL!!!!! (MANCHESTER UNITED)
And no matter how cliché it may sound, Manchester United come from two goals down to go ahead at Old Trafford.
Tom Cleverley once again finds space on the right side of midfield before whipping in a beautiful cross for Javier Hernandez to crash in with his head.
The Mexican international has fallen to the wayside slightly since the arrival of RVP, but this has been a night to remember for Javier Hernandez.
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72'—MANU 2-2 BRA
Javier Hernandez fights off a host of challenges on the left flank before bursting into the centre of Braga's half and spreading a ball out to Nani with the outside of his right boot like it was nothing.
His fellow United attacker collects well to take on board a powerful half-volley which Beto can only parry out for a corner.
Nothing comes of the set piece, but United are really starting to get into their stride now.
69'—MANU 2-2 BRA
Jose Peseiro is wildly gesticulating for his players to follow his commands but it doesn't appear to be taking affect as the home side continue their parade on the Braga box.
Wayne Rooney appears firmly established on the left side of midfield now, leaving Hernandez and RVP to occupy striking duties up top.
The comeback stats for United must, proportionally, be matching 98-99 levels (and I'm obviously not saying they're as good a side as then)
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) October 23, 2012
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63'—EQUALISER!!!! (UNITED)
And so it was written, and so it shall be done.
Jonny Evans scores his first ever European goal and pokes home from four yards after Robin van Persie delivers the ball into a pack of players from both sides.
The Northern Irishman had the time to snatch and miss with a first attempt, but made no mistake with his next attempt.
You can't say it wasn't coming.
61'—CHANCE (UNITED)
Tom Cleverley leads the Red Devils' parade and, like he has on numerous occasions this evening, finds himself in an unfamiliar position on the wing.
The Englishman delivers a sweeping ball acros the Braga box but Beto is on hand to prevent the ball reaching any of the Cleverley's teammates and the ball is swiftly cleared.
58'—MANU 1-2 BRA
After seeing just 52 percent of the possession in the first half, Manchester United already boast 66 percent of the possession in these early minutes of the second half.
Something tells me some words were had in the home dressing room at halftime.
55'—MANU 1-2 BRA
The introduction of Nani has encouraged far more play down the right-hand side, and if it sounds right, Manchester United look a lot more like Manchester United as a result.
Sir Alex's men are racking up quite a bit of possession right now and you simply can't rule out a comeback with the hosts looking like they are now.
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53'—YELLOW CARD (BRAGA)
In the process of making one of his trademark surging runs, Rafael looks for a one-two with Tom Cleverley but is absolutely flattened by Braga left-back, Elderson, and the Nigerian is shown a yellow card.
Nani (on for Kagawa) has immediately given #mufc more width on the right and some more pace.
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) October 23, 2012
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48'—YELLOW CARD (BRAGA)
And it's Custodio who becomes the first cautioned player of the evening after holding back a United attacker in midfield in order to prevent the hosts building any momentum.
Right decision from the referee, there.
47'—MANU 1-2 BRA
Judging from the opening exchanges of this second half, Nani would certainly appear to have taken up a spot on United's right wing.
The Englishmen have looked far more assured already and are taking their time on the ball, something that needs to be done if their revival is to be completed.
Second Half
If the first half was anything to go on, we're in for around 45 more chances in this second half, if not more.
For Manchester United, Shinji Kagawa makes way in place of Nani, who should bring a lot more width to the Red Devils games, although Ferguson may choose to tuck the Portuguese in more centrally.
It's the hosts who get things underway.
Halftime
The name "Alan" will be etched in the minds of many a Manchester United supporter after that first 45 minutes, and despite grabbing a first, the Red Devils have a long way to go before pulling this one back.
With both defenced being exposed on numerous occasions, we can expect there to be another raft of scoring opportunities in the second period, so don't you move a muscle.
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43'—MANU 1-2 BRA
Prior to kickoff, we questioned whether or not this diamond formation would work for the English hosts and one would find it perhaps easy to argue that it hasn't.
Can we expect to see the likes of Nani and Ashley Young introduced to revert to more conventional matters at halftime?
41'—MANU 1-2 BRA
As you'd expect, Manchester United really beginning to build up some pressure now and it's Rafael, who has been suspect at the back, who is contributing largely down the right-hand flank.
Braga have evidently irked the beast. Will they be able to weather tonight's storm?
38'—MANU 1-2 BRA
It's hard to gauge just who is winning the midfield battle between these two sides at the moment.
Hugo Viana and co. are enjoying a decent bit of possession when on the ball and are even finding it relatively easy to pass the ball about at times but Cleverley, Fletcher and Kagawa appear to be doing more with what little ball they've had.
The eternal battle of quantity versus quality rages on.
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35'—DISALLOWED GOAL (MANCHESTER UNITED)
If Manchester United owed their first goal to a good bit of officiating, they'll be ruing that they weren't given this one.
Wayne Rooney slips a sleek pass through to Shinji Kagawa, who gets away from his defender, passing to Hernandez who converts into an open net.
Kagawa was wrongfully deemed as offside and the hosts hould be level here.
Shoulda, coulda, woulda.
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