Wayne Rooney's surprise recovery could not prevent a night of
Champions League misery for Manchester United.
Bayern Munich's away-goals victory over United made it the first
time since 2003 that an English club had not made it to the
semi-finals.
Rooney, surprisingly in the starting line-up after overcoming an
ankle injury. had looked to have inspired a famous win when United
went 3-0 up but the match swung at the start of the second half
when Rafael was sent off for a second booking and a flare-up of
Rooney's ankle saw him substituted.
Bayern then dominated and triumphed when Arjen Robben volleyed
home the vital second away goal in the 74th minute.
Rooney's crucial importance to Manchester United's ambitions was
underlined after the England striker was named in the starting
line-up just a week after it looked as though an ankle injury may
have ended his season.
Shock starter: Wayne Rooney gets the ball past
Bayern Munich's Argentinian midfielder Martin Demichelis
Rooney's remarkable recovery allowed Sir Alex Ferguson to select
his preferred 4-3-3 line-up with Nani and Darron Gibson providing
the firepower alongside the United talisman.
Dimitar Berbatov dropped to the bench while John O'Shea and
Federico Macheda were also named as substitutes.
Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal had the luxury of naming both
Arjen Robben and Bastian Schweinsteiger in his starting XI after
they missed last week's first leg.
Hamit Altintop and Danijel Pranjic dropped to the bench as the
Bundesliga side aimed to protect their 2-1 advantage.
Ferguson's selection paid dividends within three minutes as
United seized the lead with the goal made by Rooney and scored by
Gibson.
Rafael started the move with a pass infield and Rooney's lay-off
to Gibson was
perfectly weighted for the Republic of Ireland man to strike a low
shot from 20 yards past Hans-Jorg Butt for his fifth goal of the
season.
If that sent the Old Trafford crowd into early ecstasy, there
was near-delirium when Nani's extravagant back-flick made it 2-0 in
the seventh minute.
Antonio Valencia was the creator, teasing Holger Badstuber
before finding enough space to fire in the cross with Nani unmarked
in the six-yard box and able to finish with a flourish.
What a start: Darron Gibson puts Manchester United
ahead
Michael Carrick drove wide from the edge of the box as United
went in search of a third and then Rooney's snap-header from a
corner looked promising but soared over the crossbar.
Rafael then went into the referee's notebook for a silly
retaliatory foul.
Rooney's ankle started to be a cause for concern again however
when he started limping after going over on his ankle in a
challenge with Daniel van Buyten.
He stayed on the pitch to try to run it off though, while Nani
was next to threaten but his wild shot from 25 yards was hopelessly
wide.
It was 25 minutes before Bayern managed an effort on target but
Thomas Muller's
fiercely-struck drive was blocked by Darren Fletcher, and in the
next move the
Scottish midfielder was hacked down by Mark van Bommel earning the
Dutchman a
booking.
Two goals: Nani celebrates
Rafael then blew a glorious opportunity after a breakaway saw
him put clean through on goal, with the young defender screwing his
shot wide after being caught in two minds about whether to
pass.
Bayern finally put together a good passing move and United for
once were left chasing shadows when Muller put in Ivica Olic but
the Croatian's touch was heavy and Edwin van der Sar was out quick
to block.
Another fabulous goal by Nani made it 3-0 four minutes before
the break. Valencia burst down the right and hit a low cross that
Rooney allowed to run for Nani to drill with glorious precision
into the roof of the net.
It may have looked all over for Bayern but Olic secured a
precious lifeline two minutes later after Carrick was unable to
deal with his strength and the striker beat Van der Sar from a
tight angle.
Another goal for Bayern would put them ahead on away goals and
only Van der Sar's stunning save from Robben's curling shot
prevented that happening.
Rooney was last out of the tunnel for the second half and there
were cheers of relief when he finally did emerge. It was Bayern who
made the only change, with Muller - who had been arguably their
best player - making way for Mario Gomez.
There was a body blow for United five minutes into the second
half when Rafael was given a second yellow card for pulling back
Franck Ribery. The young Brazilian could have little complaint but
looked disconsolate as he trudged off the pitch with head
bowed.
Second string: Nani puts United 2-0 up
Badstuber was the next player cautioned after a late tackle on
Valencia who had given him a torrid evening.
Rooney had been looking increasingly laboured and it was little
surprise when Ferguson tried to shore up his team by bringing him
off and sending John O'Shea on for his first appearance since
November.
Bayern suddenly looked brimming with confidence however and
Ribery hit a terrific volley that Van der Sar managed to parry.
Nani could have sealed it when put through by Patrice Evra but
Butt managed a one-handed save at his near post and from the corner
Carrick steered a chance
over.
Killer goal: Arjen Robben scores Bayern's
second
Gomez had United hearts in mouths with a flicked header that
just cleared the
crossbar.
Schweinsteiger tested Van der Sar from 20 yards before Gibson
shot straight at the Bayern keeper when he should have done
better.
It proved a telling moment as Bayern went down the other end and
scored to put themselves equal on aggregate but ahead on away
goals.
Ribery's corner picked out the Dutch winger unmarked on the edge
of the box and he produced a technically-perfect volley that flew
into the corner of the net.
Ferguson threw on Berbatov and Ryan Giggs as a last roll of the
dice, but it was Ribery who nearly provided the grandstand finish
with an exocet of a shot that whistled past the post.
A final half-chance for Nani drifted wide and that was it as
United were left to reflect on just how this one had got away.
Man Utd: Van der Sar,
Rafael Da Silva, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Fletcher, Carrick, Gibson,
Valencia, Rooney, Nani.
Subs: Kuszczak, Berbatov,
Giggs, Scholes, O'Shea, Jonathan Evans, Macheda.
Bayern Munich: Butt,
Lahm, Van Buyten, Demichelis, Badstuber, Robben, Van Bommel,
Schweinsteiger, Ribery, Olic, Muller.
Subs: Rensing, Altintop,
Klose, Pranjic, Contento, Gomez, Tymoschuk.
Referee: Nicola Rizzoli
(Italy)