What Went Right for Sir Alex?

On a night when so much was talked about the absence of Rooney, Rooney showed up for the game and looked ready to challenge Bayern for a semis place. But lack of fitness and a troublesome injury saw him not giving all toward the half.

Fergie's gamble, did it pay off? The inclusion of the younger players provided the pace and hunger which United lacked in the first game. But now knocked out of European and two points behind Chelsea with just five games to go, could United loose it all.

Yes Sir Alex made a few surprising choices, I think Gibson's goal in the first few minutes was a positive in his decision, the keeper was weak and Gibson with his range was perfect to trouble him, maybe he should have done more.

Nani and Valencia were brilliant to say the least, on a day when Rooney is fully fit and those two running down the flanks, it will be amazing what they can achieve.

Rafael, well he showed moments of Brazilian flair running into the midfield and stealing the ball, his decision making and inexperience got the better of him which led to his "stupid" tackle that got him the first yellow. And the red which i believe lost United the ability to move forward.

Playing with ten men against Bayern was very difficult having Ribery and Robben. But Rooney's presence on the pitch help create space on the flanks which saw Nani and Valencia throw more ball in. Remember with Rooney there Bayern had to focus more on him and what he can do, Berbatov doesn't get that much attention, so in the match situation it worker for Sir Alex, if Rooney lasted the 90, it would be brilliant and we would be discussing the semis..

On the part of Bayern i felt they lacked in the first 35 minutes which saw them concede three goals but that goal just before the half motivated them and they came out stronger.

There second half was much better, Robben and Ribery saw more of the ball, Gomez trouble Vidic and Rio upfront.

It was the phase where United pulled back that really gave Bayern the upper hand, playing ten men United where afraid of a Bayern Counter and put too many men behind the ball.

Ferdinand and Vidic look solid in the first half with a few brilliant saves from Van der Sar, while the keeper on the other end looked tentative.

So Bayern go through and face a moderate opposition in Lyon who could cause an upset. Ribery whose been in the media over a possible move will look to end his Bayern career on a high with a European crown.

So in conclusion, Bayern show promise for a favourable Cup challenge to Barca an Inter while Lyon look to sneak it through, Bayern ended the game strong but United showed they have it in them, with Rooney on the pitch not doing to much, the likes of Nani and company stood up and played fantastically. A great game of football, and the better team over two legs won. United deserve some praise for there effort and commitment showed right till the end.

United will now look to Blackburn on the weekend for some sort of hope for a League challenge. Three bad games on the run, although winning tonight the feeling of been knocked out of Europe isn't sweet.

Well it was two amazing nights of European soccer, and tonight's sees Europa League action which we hope will give us some of the same...