The Red Devils will now host Real Madrid at Old Trafford in the second leg with a crucial away goal. Danny Welbeck opened the scoring for Manchester United with a well taken 20th minute header, only for former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo to score with his own header on the half hour mark.
David de Gea - 4.5/5 - Man Of The Match - This was the night David De Gea came of age. Denied Fabio Coentrao with a finger tip save in the opening stages, before using an unorthodox style to keep out the same man in the 60th minute. With a lack of crossing and high balls the Spaniard looked impressive, and kept United in the game with a string of late saves against a rampant Madrid side.
Rafael - 2.5/5 - Claimed he knew how to tame Ronaldo but failed to live up to the task. It was far from a poor performance from the Brazilian, but not his best. Was allowed to attack down the right when Ronaldo switched flanks or moved in centrally.
Rio Ferdinand - 3/5 - Showed his composure on the ball throughout the 90 minutes, nullifying the effect of Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain. Was rested against Everton last weekend, but came back into the starting to line up and proved his class to Sir Alex Ferguson.
Jonny Evans - 3.5/5 - Arguably the number one centre back at Old Trafford these days, the Northern Irish international looked calm and composed next to Rio Ferdinand. Showed no signs of the supposed injury he picked up at Everton.
Patrice Evra - 3/5 - Should never have been allowed to be left alone with Ronaldo at the back post, and was powerless to resist the Portuguese star in the air. Was extremely unlucky that Varane was not punished for a trip when he might have raced through on goal against Lopez.
Phil Jones - 3/5 - Another typical performance from Phil Jones. Sat deep in midfield with Carrick anticipating and snuffing out Real Madrid counterattacks. Seems to be increasingly gaining the trust of his manager and on this evidence it is easy to see why.
Michael Carrick - 3.5/5 Spent the majority of the game in his own half as Madrid overflowed the midfield. Made some crucial interceptions to deny Ronaldo and co. A typical performance from the Englishman.
Wayne Rooney 2/5 - Far from his best performance in a Manchester United shirt, proven by his late substitution with Anderson. Tried to dictate the game with short, quick passing before being forced to revert to Hollywood passes.
Shinji Kagawa 2.5-5 - Made some dangerous runs against the Madrid defence as he looked to use his intelligence and pace to be beat the high line of Madrid. Was subbed off for Ryan Giggs in the 63rd minute.
Danny Welbeck 4/5 - A brilliant performance from Danny Welbeck. Held the ball up well when his side was under pressure, whilst scoring a wonderful opener from a van Persie corner. Has struggled for goals this season, but you wouldn't of thought so with a finish like that.
Robin van Persie 3/5 - Had plenty of chances to put his side into the lead as well as finish Madrid off but failed to put the ball in the back of net. Saw a shot tipped on to the bar and cleared off the line. Proved to be as equally useful in his own box as well as Madrid's with numerous headed clearances.
Substitutions.
Ryan Giggs - 2.5/5 - Tightened the United midfield by sitting deeper and narrower than Kagawa had done. Presented with a good chance in the Real Madrid penalty area late in the game, but decided to take a touch instead of shooting first time.
Anderson 2.5/5 - A late swap for Rooney. Failed to make any impact on the game, but did nothing wrong.
Antonio Valencia 2/5 - Continued his dire run of form with a disappointing display. Got booked late on.
Real Madrid.
Diego Lopez 3/5 - There was nothing he could do to prevent Welbeck heading United into the lead but he raced off his line bravely to prevent the England forward from meeting Van Persie's cross later in the first half. Tipped Van Persie's shot on to the bar before again denying the Dutchman late on. A good performance from the Real Madrid goalkeeper.
Alvaro Arbeloa - 2.5/5 - Contributed little to Real Madrid's attack as he had plenty to think about in a defensive capacity, with the interchanging and overlapping of Kagawa, Van Persie and Welbeck sometimes stretching him. Looked the shakiest of all Madrid defenders.
Sergio Ramos 3/5 - Captain for the night, Ramos failed to cope with the explosiveness of Welbeck when the striker headed United into the lead. The movement of the visitors' forwards gave them a potent counterattack but Ramos was generally able to shepherd shooters into difficult positions.
Raphael Varane 3/5 - Was lucky to stay on the pitch after a blatant foul on Patrice Evra. However, performed with a confidence that defied his relative inexperience and age. Distributed the ball from defence calmly.
Fabio Coentrao - 2.5/5 - Got forward to good effect from left-back and was twice denied a goal by De Gea's brilliant athleticism.
Xabi Alonso - 3.5/5 - Classy performance from the Spaniard. Cleared one off the line from Van Persie, and demonstrated his quick-thinking by releasing Ozil with one brilliant long pass from a free kick.
Sami Khedira - 2.5/5 - A useful physical presence in midfield, recycling possession for the most part but also possessing the ability to power through the middle. Was unlucky to see David De Gea save and hold on to his 20 yard half volley.
Cristiano Ronaldo - 4/5 - Brought his team level with a wonderful header after a phenomenal leap that drew his knees level with the helpless Evra's head. Might have added to his tally in similar circumstances but nodded wide under pressure from Evans. Proved his class with his celebration after scoring his goal, showing his strong affection to the Manchester Club.
Mesut Ozil - 3.5/5 - A classy performance from the German playmaker. His agility and ability to create angles is a joy to behold and he worked some good openings for his side who should have made more from him.
Angel Di Maria - 3/5 - Almost beat De Gea with a world class strike in the 53rd minute. It was a surprise to see him substituted, as he had cut across the penalty area repeatedly to engineer shooting opportunities only to be regularly thwarted by De Gea. Provided the cross for Ronaldo's goal.
Karim Benzema - 2.5/5 - Largely ineffective during his hour on the field. Withdrawn for Gonzalo Higuan.
Substitutions:
Gonzalo Higuain - 2.5/5 Was just as ineffective as Benzema, although managed to pull off one shot. Seems to be in similiar form to his strike partner.
Luka Modric 3/5 - Came on and tidied things up in midfield for Madrid. Failed to have a massive effect on the game though.
Pepe - 2.5/5 Came on late for Alonso and sat in midfield. Still looking to regain match fitness.
Source: DSG
Source: DSG