Real Madrid are holding the ball in the United half, this one looks like it is all over folks. The red card to Nani was undoubtedly the turning point.
90' +3
SAVE! Cristiano Ronaldo flashes a shot at De Gea from an impossible angle which the United keeper is forced to parry for a corner.
90' +2
WHAT A SAVE! AGAIN! Lopez makes another outstanding save to keep out Vidic's thumping header from a United corner. He not only gets hands on it, he manages to push it out of danger too. Top stuff from the Spaniard.
90'
Five minutes to be added on here!
89'
OFF THE POST! With United huffing and puffing Real Madrid saunter forward. Kaka drifts into the box and tries to beat De Gea from a tight angle at his near post, with the ball hitting the woodwork before bouncing right under De Gea, for him to gather.
88'
Pepe gets yellow.
Ashley Young curls in a free kick from deep on the left-hand side but Real Madrid have plenty of bodies in the box and manage to head clear.
87'
A. Valencia enters the game and replaces Rafael.
86'
Ronaldo teases the United defence cutting in from the left flank, throwing a flurry of step overs before guiding his tame shot into the arms of De Gea. United's momentum beginning to fade now.
84'
DOUBLE CHANCE! First Lopez comes out to meet Van Persie and spreads himself well to keep the Dutchman out, the attack stays alive though, but when the ball drops to Rooney in the box, he drives his half-volley over under pressure.
82'
CHANCE! After a succession of crosses are blocked by Real Madrid, United take a corner short, Giggs bends a delicate left-footed cross into the box where Carrick meets it with a header but can't quite find the angle to beat Lopez who makes a decent stop.
Minute
Description
81'
A. Young enters the game and replaces D. Welbeck.
CHANCE! Danny Welbeck has a snap shot from inside the box but his half-volley is blocked from close range by a Real Madrid defender. United, hopefully appeal for handball but the referee, once again, is having none of it.
80'
Greg Stobart reports on an altogether different atmosphere at Old Trafford: "The only noise here at the moment is coming from the 3,000 Real Madrid supporters to my right. That red card shown to Nani completely turned the tie on its head and United took full advantage in three ruthless minutes. The fight seems to have gone out of the United plays now as the visitors use their man advantage and play keep-ball."
79'
'Ole' meets every Real Madrid pass as they push forward looking to end the contest once and for all. Higuain slaloms his way past a couple of challenges but takes on one too many defenders allowing the chance to dissipate.
77'
Rooney tries to switch the play with a diagonal pass for Evra but the Englishman's pass is overhit and Real Madrid take the goal kick.
76'
All the zip and sharpness from United's play early in this half has been visibly drained. It's operation 'two banks of four' as far as Mourinho's men are concerned.
75'
Frustration is beginning to mount as Manchester United's latest penalty appeal is waived away. Welbeck goes down softly under a challenge from Ramos and then gazes hopefully at the referee who isn't interested.
73'
Kaká gets yellow.
W. Rooney enters the game and replaces T. Cleverley.
Wayne Rooney enters the fray as United somehow try to manufacture two goals. Evra loops a ball into the area but Welbeck is caught underneath the ball and is unable to put any power on his header which Lopez catches easily.
72'
M. Carrick gets yellow.
71'
Pepe enters the game and replaces M. Özil.
Van Persie gets to the touchline but his cross is blocked for a corner by Khedira. United appeal for the penalty but their protests are waived away by the referee.
69'
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by G. Higuaín.
GOAL REAL MADRID! GOAL CRISTIANO RONALDO! The tie is turned on it's head! Higuain manages to find a cross from a tight angle which goes along the entire six-yard box before the former United slides in to turn it in at the far post. United are stunned!
66'
L. Modrić has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by Sergio Ramos.
GOAL REAL MADRID! What a goal from Luka Modric! The little Croatian skips past two challenges on the edge of the area before wrapping his foot around a powerful bending shot with flies past De Gea and on to the post before rolling past the line. Old Trafford has just gone from a frenzy to pin drop silence. Absolute drama!
65'
Lovely strike from Robin van Persie after a fine spell of possession between himself, Welbeck and Giggs. The Dutchman tested Lopez with a low right-footed drive from distance but the Real Madrid goalkeeper got his body behind it.
Now Mr. 1000th appearances stirs some emotion into the crowd after he earns his side a well needed goal kick. This is gripping stuff, atleast 25 minutes of it still to go!
63'
Greg Stobart describes the scenes at Old Trafford: "Unbelievable noise here. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard anything like it. Sir Alex Ferguson is absolutely furious with that red card shown to Nani and is on the touchline whipping up the crowd in between expletive-laden tirades towards the fourth official. What a test of character this is now for United."
62'
OFF THE LINE! Modric's corner is met by Higuain only yards away from the goal but his header is blocked by the arm of Rafael. Manchester United are clinging on!
61'
Modric, meanwhile has come on for Real Madrid as they try desperately to get the elusive away goal. It's all coming from the visitors at the moment.
59'
L. Modrić enters the game and replaces Arbeloa.
Scenes! Madness here at Old Trafford as Sir Alex orchestrates the Manchester United supporters. A cauldron of boos meets every Real Madrid touch while the support is electric when United are in possession.
57'
That could be a massive turning point! Nani is sent off for a high foot into the chest of Arbeloa. It's a very harsh decision in my opinion. The Manchester United man had eyes only on the ball.
56'
Nani goes off after a red card!
RED CARD! NANI SENT OFF FOR MANCHESTER UNITED!
54'
CHANCE! Higuain drifts out to the right-hand side and swings a superbly shaped cross into the box which Cristiano Ronaldo comes inches away from making contact with, despite his best efforts.
52'
Greg Stobart reports from Old Trafford: "Bedlam here at Old Trafford when that United goal went in. It gives the hosts that extra momentum in the second half to see this through and they will be roared on even more by the crowd. You can’t say the goal wasn’t deserved, either, because United have been the better side so far."
50'
As things stand Real Madrid still need one goal to take this tie to extra-time. That goal does give United is something to defend allowing them to sit back and spring counterattacks on the visitors.
48'
Sergio Ramos is unfortunate, scores an own goal!
Real Madrid build-up slowly into United's half but Ronaldo isn't on the same wave length as Kaka tries to feed him through.
GOAL MANCHESTER UNITED! Rafael pushes forward and finds Danny Welbeck with a clever ball. The striker's shot is blocked before Van Persie's shot is also blocked. The ball comes out to the left-hand side and is put back into the area by Nani, where via Welbeck, the ball hits Sergio Ramos and deflects into the net. Old Trafford is jumping! One-nil!
47'
Good defending from Vidic to spot Kaka's run and shepard the ball out to safety. Bright start from the visitors to the second period.
46'
Manchester United take the kick-off and we are underway for the second half!
45' +1
One minute to be added on.
45'
Kaká enters the game and replaces Á. Di María.
Ronaldo has an ambitious effort from all of 30 yards out but doesn't catch it as intended and the ball sails harmlessly high and wide.
44'
United are sitting deep in their own half inviting pressure from the visitors who are knocking the ball about in front of the hosts without offering any real penetration.
42'
Angel Di Maria has picked up an injury and won't be able to continue. He trudges down the tunnel as Kaka strips off and gets ready to join the action.
41'
Tremendous defending from Raphael Varane. The ball is fed into Welbeck in a dangerous area but the 19-year-old stays tight on the United striker before sliding in for a well-timed challenge. Impressive from the young defender.
39'
A bit of a lull in the game now compared to the break-neck pace of the last 20 minutes or so. This half has just flown by, 5 minutes until the break.
38'
Arbeloa gets yellow.
Greg Stobart on the first half from Old Trafford: "Sir Alex Ferguson will be very happy with the pattern of the game so far, with United trying to beat Real Madrid at their own game by inviting pressure from the visitors and looking to counter-attack. The problem is that one goal from the Spanish giants changes the complexion of the tie and will force a complete re-think for the United manager. The decibel level has not dropped since the players came out of the tunnel here and while Jose Mourinho tries to give his players instructions from the touchline, there is no way they will be able to hear him."
36'
PENALTY SHOUT! Rafael makes a great run down the right flank and goes down inside the box under a challenge from Sergio Ramos. Not enough in it according to the referee, play on...
34'
CHANCE UNITED! This is end to end! Robin van Persie does well to collect the ball under pressure before firing a shot in at Diego Lopez. The Real keeper can only parry but makes up for it with a fine reaction save to block Danny Welbeck's effort from the rebound.
32'
CHANCE! The ball is in the back of the net but whistle had already gone for a foul. Higuain pokes the ball in past De Gea but the referee had spotted the unfair use of an arm by Sergio Ramos.
31'
CHANCE! Higuain is fed in behind Di Maria but De Gea is alert and off his line to meet the ball and block for a corner.
29'
Breathless stuff! United go straight up the other end and Nani fires a shot in from range which is blocked for a corner. Cleverley then find Van Persie on the edge of the area but his touch is not on the money, allowing Khedira to snuff out the danger.
28'
CHANCE RONALDO! The Portuguese peels off his defender inside the box and is wonderfully picked out by Khedira but his first touch is a tad loose allowing Ferdinand to scamper across and make a block before he could shoot.
26'
Some fancy footwork from Fabio Coentrao earns Real Madrid a free kick as Rafael and Tom Cleverley tried to combine to get the hosts moving forward down the right-hand side.
25'
Good run from Danny Welbeck to get on the end of Van Persie's forward pass. The England striker runs into the box and only has option - to go for goal - but Varane makes another fine block as the United forward pulls the trigger.
24'
A chorus of boos ring out as Real Madrid now begin to ask some questions of the hosts. Ozil, Ronaldo and co pass and probe moving United from side to side before Khedira makes a silly foul on Evra to give the hosts some respite.
22'
That's a bad miss from Welbeck who wasn't able to react to the loose ball quick enough. The offside flag though means it wouldn't have counted anyway.
21'
OFF THE POST! How did Real Madrid survive that?! Giggs' corner is met by a thumping header from Nemanja Vidic which comes crashing off the post and hits Danny Welbeck on the shins before luckily falling into the grateful arms of Lopez. Old Trafford was ready to explode...
20'
Ryan Giggs shows all his experience to earn United a corner out of nothing. He stands over the ball...
19'
Patrice Evra has to be careful now as he cynically brings down Di Maria who had the Frenchman beaten on the halfway line.
18'
P. Evra gets yellow.
Great recovery from Varane to make a good block on Nani's cross. The Portuguese winger looked to have beaten the Real Madrid defender after surging into the box but the the Frenchman managed to get a foot in to block his low pass into the box.
16'
Real Madrid manage to head clear from the resulting corner and then enjoy a short spell of possession before Evra bundles over Di Maria in his own half.
15'
CHANCE! Van Persie turns to release Welbeck, he holds it up for Giggs who then whips a fantastic cross with the outside of his left foot towards the Dutchman but his volley is blocked wide for a corner!
13'
First real Manchester United attack as Danny Welbeck drives the hosts foward with a strong run down the right. He drops the ball back to Nani who swings a right-footed cross into the box where Sergio Ramos is well placed to head clear.
11'
First real chance of the game! Ronaldo and Ozil show their quality with a nice exchange of first time passes before the German feeds Higuain inside the box. The Real Madrid striker takes two strides to his right to work some space but his shot is curled high and wide.
10'
A problem for Manchester United as Tom Cleverley stays down after a challenge with Ronaldo. The England midfielder gets to his feet but doesn't look at all comfortable.
9'
Neither side have managed to find any rhythm as of yet. The hosts particulary have been uncharacteristically sloppy in possession here so far.
7'
Mesut Ozil does well to spot Di Maria unmarked on the right-hand side and clips a fine pass into his direction, the Argentine's control is sloppy though, allowing Rafael to make a block. United manage to survive the danger from the resulting corner.
5'
The wall stands firm as Ronaldo's right-footed shot is hit right into it. Real Madrid try to keep the attack alive but United manage to win back possession.
Ryan Giggs looks for Van Persie with a floated pass down the right flank but the Dutchman is flagged offside before he can collect the ball.
4'
Chance for the visitors as Coentrao earns a free kick of Ryan Gigges about 25 yards from goal to the left of United's area. Ronaldo stands over it...
3'
Greg Stobart sampling the atmosphere at Old Trafford: "Two huge roars as the announcer here read out the team line-ups, first for Ryan Giggs as he makes his 1000th career appearances - and then an even louder noise for Cristiano Ronaldo on his return to Old Trafford. Spine-tingling."
2'
It's absolutely electric inside Old Trafford Manchester United make the first forray forward. Nani scampers down the left flank but he isn't able to get on the end of Evra's through ball ahead of Real Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez.
1'
Real Madrid take the kick-off and we are underway!
Good evening ladies and gents! Welcome to Goal.com's live play-by-play coverage of Manchester United v Real Madrid from Old Trafford LIVE!
What a night we have in store, I for one cannot wait. Team news coming your way shortly...
Man Utd: De Gea; Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Nani, Carrick, Cleverley, Giggs, Welbeck; van Persie.
Subs: Lindegaard, Evans, Valencia, Young, Kagawa, Rooney, Hernandez.
Real Madrid: Diego Lopez; Arbeloa, Ramos, Varane, Fabio Coentrao; Khedira, Alonso; Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo; Higuain.
Subs: Adan, Pepe, Albiol, Kaka, Modric, Callejon, Benzema.
The big story in terms of team news has to be Sir Alex Ferguson's omission of Wayne Rooney. Is it a tactical adjustment or has something happened between the two behind the scenes? As ever, let us know all your thoughts via our Twitter - @GoalUK
Goal.com's man at Old Trafford tonight is Mr. Greg Stobart and he's just spotted someone. Tottenham's Gareth Bale is in the building, interesting...
The Spurs man is in the stands possibly having a look at long-term suitors Real Madrid. He's not the only Welshman in the spotlight, though, Ryan Giggs is all set to make his 1000th appearance for the Red Devils. What an occasion to mark it on.
This night is only about one chap though, that man is Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese returns to the Theatre of Dreams for the first time after shattering the world transfer record four years ago. Hee's a few CR7 stats for you lot to feast on before the big kick-off...
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored seven goals in 23 Champions League games at Old Trafford. He has 16 goals in 18 European games at the Santiago Bernabeu. Only Didier Drogba has scored more headed goals (8) than Cristiano Ronaldo (7) in the Champions League since 2003.
Sir Alex Ferguson explains his decision to drop Wayne Rooney: "It's one of those situations regarding the qualities of Real Madrid. Danny Welbeck is the best forward defensively in our team, so he will do that for us while supporting Van Persie. Hopefully Wayne will come off the bench and score the winner for us."
Less than ten minutes to go until the big kick-off!
Greg Stobart reports from Old Trafford: "Wonderful atmosphere building here at Old Trafford, with stars past and present here in the crowd from Diego Maradona to Gareth Bale. The United supporters and going to create a mosaic before kick-off while the Premier League side have wheeled out their big-game flag wavers around the perimeter of the pitch."
The teams are emerging from the tunnels, kick-off is moments away....
HALF-TIME: Manchester United 0-0 Real Madrid
Manchester United carried the greater threat in the first half and were inches away from taking the lead when Vidic's header crashed off the post. Van Persie also had a good volley blocked by the Real Madrid defence, who so far are holding firm. The visitors have shown glimpses of their quality going forward but haven't shown a real desire to push forward in numbers. Why should they? As things stand, Mourinho's men are heading for the quarter-finals.
Goal.com's Ewan Roberts has been crunching numbers and here's what he has to show for it: "Xabi Alonso has played just 16 passes with 69% accuracy so far - only Cristiano Ronaldo, Gonzalo Higuain and goalkeeper Diego Lopez have played fewer passes. Usually the Spanish midfielder is the most prolific passer in Madrid's side, averaging 69 passes at 81% accuracy. Just goes to show what an excellent job Danny Welbeck is doing in stopping Alonso from exerting his usual dominance."
More from Mr. Roberts in the stats lab: "Cleverley is Man Utd's top passer with 21, seven Madrid players have managed that number of passes or more (with Khedira top of the pile with 40)"
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