Ronaldo Magic Sends Man Utd to Rome

Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at 1:33 pm

London: Holders Manchester United gave Arsenal a masterclass in what is required to be European champions by beating them 3-1 to seal a 4-1 aggregate victory in their Champions League semi-final.

An inspired Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice to book United’s place in the final in Rome after Park Ji-sung had punched an early hole in Arsenal’s hopes of a famous victory.

It extended United’s record unbeaten run in the competition to 25 games and inflicted Arsenal’s first defeat in Europe at their new Emirates home.

United’s joy was tarnished by a harsh late red card for midfielder Darren Fletcher which rules him out of the final against Chelsea or Barcelona.

United have fared badly at Arsenal in recent years, winning just one of their last 10 visits, and there was a real mood of optimism among the home fans in the opening exchanges as the visitors looked tentative.

However, within 11 minutes the tie was effectively over.

Arsenal manager Wenger said in his programme notes that he had been plotting for the return leg non-stop in his head since the 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford last Wednesday.

But all the Frenchman’s meticulous plans went up in smoke after eight minutes as young left back Kieran Gibbs endured the worst moment of his fledgling career.

There seemed minimal danger as Ronaldo scurried to the by line and cut back a low cross but the 19-year-old Gibbs lost his footing and despite his desperate attempts to recover his balance, the lurking South Korean Park lifted a shot past Almunia.

Ronaldo Magic Sends Man Utd to Rome

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