Valencia Deny Man United a Place in Champions League History With 1-1 Draw

Champions League Update: Manchester United topped Group C, but missed the record books as they failed to become the only team in Champions League history to get through to the knockout stages without conceding a single goal.

Michael Carrick played a major hand in United’s miss at history as he nervously dawdled with the ball in his own half only for Alejandro Dominguez to snap it up. Dominguez showed a great piece of vision as he picked up Pablo Hernandez’s run on the right, with the latter coolly slotting past a helpless Ben Amos.

United had a first half filled with missed opportunities, with Dimitar Berbatov displaying his Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde nature to the fullest. The Bulgarian could have scored at least five again but for some brilliant keeping by Vicente Guaita, offside calls and some errors on his own part, which on any other day would surely have gone in.

Earlier in the half, Anderson played a brilliant one-two with Wayne Rooney and found himself with oodles of space in the box, only to send a powerless effort straight to Guaita.

Guaita denied United again as a brilliant cross from Rooney to find Ji Sung Park yards away from goal would only end up being blocked by the Spaniard.

Wayne Rooney himself had a brilliant game, with just the one coveted goal eluding him. He almost broke the deadlock in emphatic fashion as he sent a curling 20-yard effort crashing onto the Valencia crossbar, only for Nani to send the rebound just wide. It's just a matter of “when” for Rooney.

The second half saw Rio Ferdinand being replaced by Chris Smalling after the England captain complained of hamstring troubles.

United continued to press on and were finally rewarded in the 62nd minute when a powerful effort from Park was parried onto the path of Anderson by Guaita, and the Brazilian sent a half-volley crashing into the net.

It was a much-deserved goal for Anderson who was all around the park throughout and very creative in his passing. It was only his second goal for Manchester United after being signed from Porto in 2007, and the frisky Brazilian celebrated it with one of his inimitable dances.

United thus avoided the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona in the next round, but could still face champions Inter and their bitter rivals AC Milan.

But topping the group, and doing so unbeaten would give them that extra bit of confidence, especially with the Gunners visiting town in six days. 

This article was first published on http://www.isport.in