VIEW FROM THE BROADSHEETS
‘Manchester United, a club besotted with its flamboyant
heritage, could not produce an evening's worth of flawless
security. They fell short by seconds and so tumbled out of
the Champions League on a 3 -2 aggregate. Sir Alex
Ferguson's team had been ahead on the away-goal rule as this
match entered its last minute.
‘The outcome might have been different had a linesman, with
a bad offside decision, not denied Paul Scholes a second
goal to extend the lead on the verge of half-time.
‘United, however, have rarely impressed this season, with
their failings illuminated by the contrast with a beguiling
Arsenal. Considering the nine-point gap at the top of the
Premiership, only the FA Cup can spare Ferguson his second
trophy-less season in three years and there his team must
face Arsène Wenger's ensemble.
‘Ferguson would have been entitled to curse his luck. Even
after that equaliser United created such mayhem in the Uefa
Cup holders' area that it might easily have brought the goal
needed to steer this contest to extra-time.
‘It will be part of Ferguson's torment, though, to have
every aspect of his season reviewed, from David Beckham's
sale through Rio Ferdinand's missed drugs test to the
sending-off that kept the captain Roy Keane out last night.
'This is ironic because the manager's control and judgment
so nearly prevailed here. Ferguson wisely had both Nicky
Butt and Eric Djemba-Djemba to screen a patched-up back
four, which lacked the injured Mikael Silvestre, from
Porto's view.’
Telegraph:
‘Manchester United's season descended into darkness, bitter
darkness, last night when Costinha struck at the death,
sending waves of depression through the champions of England
who moments earlier had been looking forward to Friday's
quarter-final draw of the Champions League. And so United's
season continues to unravel disastrously. Nine points behind
Arsenal in the Premiership and with the Londoners forming a
huge semi-final roadblock on the FA Cup path to Cardiff, Sir
Alex Ferguson had desperately needed some solace in Europe.
Despite Paul Scholes' first-half goal and their overall
supremacy, United made a defensive error in the final
minute, a foul from Phil Neville, that cost them dear.
‘Buoyed by Scholes' 32nd-minute goal and the excellence of
Gary Neville in defence and Ryan Giggs in midfield, United
had kept taking the game to Mourinho's men. This had been a
night when Ferguson, knowing his season rested on a knife
edge, had needed his senior players to stand up and be
counted.
‘Hoping for certain Porto players to stand up was over
ambitious. Carlos Alberto, the 19-year-old Brazilian, kept
falling over, confirming Ferguson's fear of "Porto's
tendency to go to ground with dramatic effect". When he
collapsed under a legitimate Wes Brown challenge shortly
before half-time, Carlos Alberto was surrounded by the
scandalised moral majority in red shirts objecting to his
impersonation of a leaf in a wind tunnel.
‘Old Trafford howled in derision, greeting every touch from
Carlos Alberto with relentless boos. United were pumped up
for this, no question, feeding on the energy of their fans
spilling down from the stands. Ferguson stood like a beacon
by the halfway line, radiating commitment, urging his
players forward, holding his head in his hands in
frustration when Carlos Alberto rolled excessively.
‘United's fans tend to come to life most on European nights,
particularly when their idols are brimming with a
determination to keep their enduring European dream burning
bright. Willed on by fans in full, resonant voice, the
champions of England began probing for openings, looking to
release Ruud van Nistelrooy.
‘The patient build-up that United have tried to develop in
Europe, cherishing possession until the time came to strike,
was gloriously in evidence.
‘At half-time, Ferguson had to rejig because the excellent
Eric Djemba Djemba, a muscular presence in deep midfield,
had damaged his ribs. "It's a pity because Eric was doing a
great job," reflected Ferguson, who reorganised his team in
a more orthodox 4-4-2 configuration. Djemba Djemba's
replacement, Louis Saha, who had been feeling his Achilles,
sprinted on to give Porto's defenders another concern in a
frenetic second half.
‘To maintain the pressure on Porto, Ferguson then introduced
Ronaldo, who was promptly clattered by a compatriot. Then
further disaster ensued. When Phil Neville fouled Edgaras
Jankauskas 25 yards out, Benni McCarthy unleashed a free
kick which Howard could only parry, allowing Costinha to
ruin United's season.’
Times:
heritage, could not produce an evening's worth of flawless
security. They fell short by seconds and so tumbled out of
the Champions League on a 3 -2 aggregate. Sir Alex
Ferguson's team had been ahead on the away-goal rule as this
match entered its last minute.
‘The outcome might have been different had a linesman, with
a bad offside decision, not denied Paul Scholes a second
goal to extend the lead on the verge of half-time.
‘United, however, have rarely impressed this season, with
their failings illuminated by the contrast with a beguiling
Arsenal. Considering the nine-point gap at the top of the
Premiership, only the FA Cup can spare Ferguson his second
trophy-less season in three years and there his team must
face Arsène Wenger's ensemble.
‘Ferguson would have been entitled to curse his luck. Even
after that equaliser United created such mayhem in the Uefa
Cup holders' area that it might easily have brought the goal
needed to steer this contest to extra-time.
‘It will be part of Ferguson's torment, though, to have
every aspect of his season reviewed, from David Beckham's
sale through Rio Ferdinand's missed drugs test to the
sending-off that kept the captain Roy Keane out last night.
'This is ironic because the manager's control and judgment
so nearly prevailed here. Ferguson wisely had both Nicky
Butt and Eric Djemba-Djemba to screen a patched-up back
four, which lacked the injured Mikael Silvestre, from
Porto's view.’
Telegraph:
‘Manchester United's season descended into darkness, bitter
darkness, last night when Costinha struck at the death,
sending waves of depression through the champions of England
who moments earlier had been looking forward to Friday's
quarter-final draw of the Champions League. And so United's
season continues to unravel disastrously. Nine points behind
Arsenal in the Premiership and with the Londoners forming a
huge semi-final roadblock on the FA Cup path to Cardiff, Sir
Alex Ferguson had desperately needed some solace in Europe.
Despite Paul Scholes' first-half goal and their overall
supremacy, United made a defensive error in the final
minute, a foul from Phil Neville, that cost them dear.
‘Buoyed by Scholes' 32nd-minute goal and the excellence of
Gary Neville in defence and Ryan Giggs in midfield, United
had kept taking the game to Mourinho's men. This had been a
night when Ferguson, knowing his season rested on a knife
edge, had needed his senior players to stand up and be
counted.
‘Hoping for certain Porto players to stand up was over
ambitious. Carlos Alberto, the 19-year-old Brazilian, kept
falling over, confirming Ferguson's fear of "Porto's
tendency to go to ground with dramatic effect". When he
collapsed under a legitimate Wes Brown challenge shortly
before half-time, Carlos Alberto was surrounded by the
scandalised moral majority in red shirts objecting to his
impersonation of a leaf in a wind tunnel.
‘Old Trafford howled in derision, greeting every touch from
Carlos Alberto with relentless boos. United were pumped up
for this, no question, feeding on the energy of their fans
spilling down from the stands. Ferguson stood like a beacon
by the halfway line, radiating commitment, urging his
players forward, holding his head in his hands in
frustration when Carlos Alberto rolled excessively.
‘United's fans tend to come to life most on European nights,
particularly when their idols are brimming with a
determination to keep their enduring European dream burning
bright. Willed on by fans in full, resonant voice, the
champions of England began probing for openings, looking to
release Ruud van Nistelrooy.
‘The patient build-up that United have tried to develop in
Europe, cherishing possession until the time came to strike,
was gloriously in evidence.
‘At half-time, Ferguson had to rejig because the excellent
Eric Djemba Djemba, a muscular presence in deep midfield,
had damaged his ribs. "It's a pity because Eric was doing a
great job," reflected Ferguson, who reorganised his team in
a more orthodox 4-4-2 configuration. Djemba Djemba's
replacement, Louis Saha, who had been feeling his Achilles,
sprinted on to give Porto's defenders another concern in a
frenetic second half.
‘To maintain the pressure on Porto, Ferguson then introduced
Ronaldo, who was promptly clattered by a compatriot. Then
further disaster ensued. When Phil Neville fouled Edgaras
Jankauskas 25 yards out, Benni McCarthy unleashed a free
kick which Howard could only parry, allowing Costinha to
ruin United's season.’
Times:
‘From the Rio Ferdinand affair to their manager’s row over
Rock Of Gibraltar, Manchester United have contrived the most
extraordinary ways of undermining this deeply flawed
campaign, but it was hard not to feel sympathy at least for
their defenders as they crashed out of the European Cup last
night.
‘It is the rearguard who have come in for the most ferocious
criticism this season, but, led by the exceptional Gary
Neville, it was they who seemed likely to come out of a
scrappy match as the heroes. Then, just as all their hard
work looked certain to be rewarded with a place in the
quarter-finals, calamity struck.
‘The back line had held their nerve for 89 minutes and 30
seconds when Phil Neville, whose diligence after an early
booking was eclipsed only by that of his elder brother,
conceded a free kick 30 yards from goal. Benni McCarthy’s
attempt appeared to catch Tim Howard by surprise and the
goalkeeper, who has looked increasingly uncertain after such
promising beginnings to his Old Trafford career, sent a
looping punch only as far as Costinha, whose shot appeared
to take an age to find the net.
‘The shock around Old Trafford was palpable. It had never
been the prettiest of performances, but, after the travails
of the season, the fans had been happy to settle for grit
and determination. Their contentment swiftly turned to anger
as they fled for the exits and they will have pointed
questions for the management over the coming days about the
state of a squad that never looked equipped to take on the
biggest clubs — and FC Porto are not among them — in the
latter stages of the European Cup.
‘In the context of their faltering season it was no surprise
that United should splutter for most of the first half and
yet they could have been two ahead by half-time. Only an
erroneous flag by a linesman denied Paul Scholes a second
goal, but, given their lack of fluency, Ferguson’s men will
have been happy to go in at the interval with any advantage.
‘The United goal came from one of the few moves of quality
as John O’Shea played a one-two with Ryan Giggs that set the
full back running down the left flank. Checking back on to
his right foot, the Ireland defender saw Scholes dash
towards the near post and the headed finish from inside the
six-yard box was relatively simple, although, it seemed at
the time, hugely significant in United’s attempt to make a
success of this campaign.
‘Gritty and determined, United kept tackling robustly,
although a little too vigorously in the case of Scholes, who
could not complain about his booking for a two-footed tackle
that will rule him out of the next European match. Right
until the dying moments he would have expected that to be
the first leg of the quarter- final until Howard made his
mistake and turned the tie on its head.
‘The affable and conscientious American will blame himself,
but there have been bigger mistakes made at Old Trafford
this season. His was just the latest; but it was dramatic
and hugely costly nonetheless.’
Indie:
‘Those well-thumbed passports can go back into the drawer.
For the first time in eight years Manchester United's name
will not be in the fishbowl for the quarter-finals of the
European Cup.
‘The margin was narrow, Porto winning through an 90th-minute
goal, and United lacked fortune. A linesman's error denied
the English champions a two-goal half-time advantage, a lead
Porto were unlikely to have overhauled. They also had a
potential winner cleared off the line in injury-time.
‘Yet the reality is that Porto, over the two legs, deserved
their victory. Paul Scholes' 31st-minute goal was a rare
shaft of quality in another edgy performance by United.
After his 45th-minute "goal" was ruled out they rarely
threatened instead conceding space and relying on their
fragile defence. With Gary Neville and Wes Brown forming a
solid partnership it looked to be enough. United then
suffered a fate they have inflicted on so many other teams
when Costinha reminded them they do not have the copyright
on late goals.
‘A long summer of introspection now beckons at Old Trafford.
Since 1999 United have now won just one of six Champions'
League knock-out ties and a third title seems a distant
prospect. While the FA Cup still offers a chance of
silverware they will also be keen to remain ahead of Chelsea
in the Premiership and so ensure automatic qualification for
next season's competition.
‘United's fans did not take defeat well, Porto's players
leaving to a chorus of "dirty cheating bastards". Ferguson
was more magnanimous finally shaking Jose Mourinho's hand.
In times past he would have headed, this morning, for the
gallops. Now even that release is denied him.’
Rock Of Gibraltar, Manchester United have contrived the most
extraordinary ways of undermining this deeply flawed
campaign, but it was hard not to feel sympathy at least for
their defenders as they crashed out of the European Cup last
night.
‘It is the rearguard who have come in for the most ferocious
criticism this season, but, led by the exceptional Gary
Neville, it was they who seemed likely to come out of a
scrappy match as the heroes. Then, just as all their hard
work looked certain to be rewarded with a place in the
quarter-finals, calamity struck.
‘The back line had held their nerve for 89 minutes and 30
seconds when Phil Neville, whose diligence after an early
booking was eclipsed only by that of his elder brother,
conceded a free kick 30 yards from goal. Benni McCarthy’s
attempt appeared to catch Tim Howard by surprise and the
goalkeeper, who has looked increasingly uncertain after such
promising beginnings to his Old Trafford career, sent a
looping punch only as far as Costinha, whose shot appeared
to take an age to find the net.
‘The shock around Old Trafford was palpable. It had never
been the prettiest of performances, but, after the travails
of the season, the fans had been happy to settle for grit
and determination. Their contentment swiftly turned to anger
as they fled for the exits and they will have pointed
questions for the management over the coming days about the
state of a squad that never looked equipped to take on the
biggest clubs — and FC Porto are not among them — in the
latter stages of the European Cup.
‘In the context of their faltering season it was no surprise
that United should splutter for most of the first half and
yet they could have been two ahead by half-time. Only an
erroneous flag by a linesman denied Paul Scholes a second
goal, but, given their lack of fluency, Ferguson’s men will
have been happy to go in at the interval with any advantage.
‘The United goal came from one of the few moves of quality
as John O’Shea played a one-two with Ryan Giggs that set the
full back running down the left flank. Checking back on to
his right foot, the Ireland defender saw Scholes dash
towards the near post and the headed finish from inside the
six-yard box was relatively simple, although, it seemed at
the time, hugely significant in United’s attempt to make a
success of this campaign.
‘Gritty and determined, United kept tackling robustly,
although a little too vigorously in the case of Scholes, who
could not complain about his booking for a two-footed tackle
that will rule him out of the next European match. Right
until the dying moments he would have expected that to be
the first leg of the quarter- final until Howard made his
mistake and turned the tie on its head.
‘The affable and conscientious American will blame himself,
but there have been bigger mistakes made at Old Trafford
this season. His was just the latest; but it was dramatic
and hugely costly nonetheless.’
Indie:
‘Those well-thumbed passports can go back into the drawer.
For the first time in eight years Manchester United's name
will not be in the fishbowl for the quarter-finals of the
European Cup.
‘The margin was narrow, Porto winning through an 90th-minute
goal, and United lacked fortune. A linesman's error denied
the English champions a two-goal half-time advantage, a lead
Porto were unlikely to have overhauled. They also had a
potential winner cleared off the line in injury-time.
‘Yet the reality is that Porto, over the two legs, deserved
their victory. Paul Scholes' 31st-minute goal was a rare
shaft of quality in another edgy performance by United.
After his 45th-minute "goal" was ruled out they rarely
threatened instead conceding space and relying on their
fragile defence. With Gary Neville and Wes Brown forming a
solid partnership it looked to be enough. United then
suffered a fate they have inflicted on so many other teams
when Costinha reminded them they do not have the copyright
on late goals.
‘A long summer of introspection now beckons at Old Trafford.
Since 1999 United have now won just one of six Champions'
League knock-out ties and a third title seems a distant
prospect. While the FA Cup still offers a chance of
silverware they will also be keen to remain ahead of Chelsea
in the Premiership and so ensure automatic qualification for
next season's competition.
‘United's fans did not take defeat well, Porto's players
leaving to a chorus of "dirty cheating bastards". Ferguson
was more magnanimous finally shaking Jose Mourinho's hand.
In times past he would have headed, this morning, for the
gallops. Now even that release is denied him.’