Manchester United's 20 Greatest Champions League Moments

Since the inception of the Champions League in 1992, Manchester United have been at the forefront of some of the competition's greatest moments.

The magic of European football on a Tuesday or Wednesday night brings Old Trafford to life.

The Red Devils may have only lifted the trophy with the big ears twice (three times if you count the European Cup), but no one forgets the campaigns in between.

Not every season can end in success.

Here are United's 20 greatest Champions League moments:

20. England Downs Scotland (2006/07)

Manchester United's group-stage encounter with Celtic in 2006 was billed as the Battle of Britain, and it didn't disappoint.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ultimately scored the winner in a game that ebbed, flowed and was entertaining.

19. Back-to-Back 3-3 Draws with Barca (1997/98)

The group stages of the 1997/98 campaign produced some stunning games and plenty of goals.

Sir Alex's side drew 3-3 with Barcelona in both home and away ties. Rarely has there ever been such free-flowing attacking football played at the highest level.

18. United Destroy Porto 4-0 (1996/97)

The Red Devils' 4-0 drubbing of Porto in 1997 hinted at things that would eventually come true in 1999.

Inspired by an effervescent Eric Cantona, the 53,000 in attendance at Old Trafford bore witness to a systematic quarter-final massacre.

17. Depor Defeated, United Reach Semis (2001/02)

For a while in 2002, it looked as though the Red Devils were destined for their second Champions League final.

Before being cruelly defeated by Bayer Leverkusen in the semis, Sir Alex's side comprehensively defeated Spain's Deportivo La Coruna 2-0 and 3-2 over two entertaining legs.

16. Ruud Van Nistelrooy Scores from an Impossible Angle (2002/03)

Ruud van Nistelrooy's time at United may have coincided with the worst run for the Red Devils in the Premier League era, but he is still one of the greatest forwards to have put on the famous red shirt.

His incredible strike against Swiss side Basel in 2003 stands out. The way he curls his shot inside the far post from an impossible angle defies belief.

15. Park Ji-Sung Finally Finishes off Chelsea (2010/11)

For a relatively slow player who made his name off the back of his boundless energy, Park Ji-Sung certainly had his fair share of great United moments.

None more special than his match-winner against Chelsea in the quarters of the 2010/11 campaign.

14. United Lose, (Brazilian) Ronaldo Saluted (2002/03)

It may seem odd to include a tie that United actually lost on aggregate, but their epic tussle with Real Madrid in 2003 was legendary.

Despite Sir Alex's side winning 4-3 on the night, Brazilian Ronaldo's phenomenal hat-trick sealed the overall win for Real. Old Trafford's standing ovation for the striker will live long in the memory. A true moment of sportsmanship.

13. The Other Ronaldo Embarrasses Arsenal (2008/09)

Manchester United's semi-final win over Arsenal in 2009 could not have been more comprehensive.

A truly one-sided tie was capped off in the second leg by a scorching counterattack that ended with Cristiano Ronaldo running a good 60 yards at full tilt to slide home his team's third.

12. First-Ever Win in the Competition (1993/94)

It's always nice to get your first win under the belt, which is what United did in their opening Champions League clash with Hungarian side Kispest Honved in 1993.

A Roy Keane double and an Eric Cantona strike—all in the first half—seemed to suggest that European football wouldn't be a problem for Sir Alex's side.

11. Taming (the Brazilian) Ronaldo (1998/99)

The quarter-final of United's Champions League-winning campaign in 1999 saw the Red Devils take on Inter Milan, then one of the strongest sides in Europe.

But thanks to some stunning saves from Peter Schmeichel in the first leg and Brazilian Ronaldo not showing up in the second, the treble dream was kept alive.

10. Milan and David Beckham Decimated (2009/10)

United legend David Beckham's long-awaited return to Old Trafford saw his Milan side whitewashed by a rampant United.

Forward Wayne Rooney was in top form, scoring a brace to highlight the Premier League's dominance over the then-struggling Serie A club.

9. Ronaldo Strikes from Miles out (2008/09)

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his fair share of stunning long-range blasters while at United, but none more ferocious than that against Porto in 2009.

Struck from roughly 40 yards out, the ball sailed into the top corner of the net without even dipping. It was as close to a bullet as a football can get.

8. Juventus Sunk (1997/98)

This may seem like a recurring theme, but it has always been extra special when United have found a way to beat Juve.

The Italians were arguably the team of the 90s, but the Red Devils proved they can mix it with the best in a 3-2 group stage win at a raucous Old Trafford.

7. Ryan Giggs Proves the Doubters Wrong (2002/03)

If there has ever been a moment when Ryan Giggs' place at Manchester United has been questioned the most, it was during the 2002/03 season.

He hit back with a sensational double in a 3-0 win in Turin against a Juventus side that was considered world-class.

6. Wayne Rooney Hits Milan at the Death (2006/07)

Against AC Milan's Kaka at his peak, Manchester United downed a world-class side 3-2 in their Champions League semi-final first leg.

The Italian side won the second meeting 3-0...but we'll always have Manchester!

5. Paul Scholes Shoots Down Barcelona (2007/08)

Midfield maestro Paul Scholes has had plenty of highlight-reel moments at Old Trafford, but perhaps none more important than his long-range cracker against Barcelona in 2008.

The rest of the game was a nervy affair, but Scholes' effort made the night a fantastic occasion.

4. 7-1 (2006/07)

Rarely has there been such a complete, exceptional team performance than the 7-1 thrashing of Roma in 2007.

The goals poured in from all angles, with every one a beauty. The Italian side had no idea what had hit them at the full-time whistle.

3. "Full Steam Ahead, Barcelona!" (1998/99)

The Red Devils' treble-winning season was full of late winners and magical comebacks, including the semi-final triumph over Juventus.

Two goals down with little time left, United, led by captain Roy Keane, proceeded to defy the odds and score three to clinch their place in the final.

2. Edwin Van Der Sar Makes John Terry Pay (2007/08)

The Red Devils' second Champions League victory came in an almost equally dramatic fashion.

The 2008 final against Chelsea came down to a penalty shootout. John Terry slipped and fired his effort against the post, and a few spot-kicks later Edwin van der Sar saved Nicolas Anelka's shot to send the Red Devils faithful into delirium.

1. "...and Solskjaer Has Won It!" (1998/99)

What moment better encapsulates Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson than the dramatic comeback in the 1999 final?

A goal down to Bayern Munich heading into injury time and all seemed lost. Step forward Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to create football history.

What other Champs League moments do you fondly remember?

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