Manchester United kept their hopes of reaching the Champions League semi-finals alive with a battling draw against Bayern Munich at Old Trafford last night.
David Moyes’ under-pressure side not only avoided the heavy loss to the European champions many had feared in the first leg of their quarter-final, but even threatened an unlikely victory.
Captain Nemanja Vidic headed United ahead just before the hour but they could not hold on as Bastian Schweinsteiger equalised before he was controversially sent off in the last minute.
Schweinsteiger was dismissed for a second bookable offence following a challenge on Wayne Rooney and, in his frustration at the decision, appeared to suggest he felt the United forward dived.
The away goal may have given Bayern the edge ahead of next week’s return at the Allianz Arena but Moyes, after much criticism over domestic performances, senses a chance of a famous win.
He said: “Hopefully tonight shows we will go there, and we will go toe to toe with them and we will try to come out on top.
“It is a tough tie but we all believe we have got a chance.
“Our best football has been in this competition and we will need to show our best football when we go to Bayern next week.”
Bayern, not unexpectedly, dominated possession in the first half and it took a fine save from David De Gea to deny Arjen Robben the opening goal.
Yet United arguably had the better chances before the break, not least when Danny Welbeck – who also had an early goal disallowed – failed to beat Manuel Neuer after breaking clean through.
They raised their intensity after the break and broke through when Vidic headed home a Rooney corner but Bayern changed their approach by sending on forward Mario Mandzukic and pulled level.
Moyes said: “I am happy with the performance, but a bit disappointed with the result in the end.
“I’m a bit disappointed we couldn’t take one of the other chances we had but we played a great team tonight in Bayern Munich.”
Bayern boss Pep Guardiola was unhappy with the decision to dismiss Schweinsteiger by Spanish referee Carlos Velasco Carballo, but did not give his reasons.
Asked if he saw an apparent ’diving’ gesture by Schweinsteiger, Guardiola said: “I didn’t see, but I spoke to the referee.
“He is a very good referee. He made a very, very good game, but it is unfair.
“But it is okay. To win the Champions League you have to solve and overcome everything. In football this kind of thing happens.”
Guardiola, who also had a minor spat with an English journalist in his post-match press conference, was pressed further on the matter but refused to elaborate.
On the tie, he said: “It is not an exceptional result but it is good enough considering how good Manchester United are.”