Champions League on Betfair: United out after controversial red for Nani

6Mar 2013

Bajnokok Ligája

Wayne Rooney was dropped to the bench and Ryan Giggs made his 1000th professional appearance, but no-one is talking about those stories after a controversial night at Old Trafford...

Manchester United are out of this season's Champions League after letting slip a 2-1 aggregate lead - albeit with 10 men - to Spanish champions Real Madrid.

Inevitably the winner was scored by former United favourite Ronaldo, but many people will see Nani's sending off for a perceived dangerous/high tackle as the turning point to a game United had the upper hand in.

During an intriuging first half the closest either side came to a goal was when Nemanja Vidic hit the foot of the post with a towering header. The rebound fell to Danny Welbeck but the United striker was unable to adjust his feet quick enough and could only deflect the ball back to the Madrid keeper.

The Half Time 0-0 Score was matched at 3.9 with the Half Time Draw matched at 2.52.

It wasn't long into the second half before the home side were in front however, a low cross from the left was slightly deflected by Welbeck leaving Sergio Ramos in the unfortunate position of putting the ball in to his own net.

Manchester United hit a low of around 1.4 in the To Qualify market, but the turning poing in the game arguably came with Nani's sending off.

There was absolutely no intent on the United man's part, but his foot was extremely high and connected with Alvaro Arbeloa, and if that was deemed as dangerous play then referee Cüneyt Çakır was entitled to show red.

United conceded lots of possession following Nani's dismissal and they were made to pay in brilliant fashion on 66 minutes, former Spurs favourite Luka Modric blasting home a curling shot from outside the area.

For betting purposes Modric was deemed as the First Goalscorer and was matched at a massive 80.0 In-Play.

Shortly afterwards, Ronaldo - who else - put Madrid in front on the night and on the tie, sliding in at the far post to break the hearts of the United faithful.

United had many chances to get back into the game but they couldn't find the equaliser and it is Real Madrid who go through to the quarter-final. Jose Mourinho later admitted that, "the best team lost" at Old Trafford, words that will be little consolation to Sir Alex Ferguson and his staff.

Real Madrid are now clear 3.35 favourites to win the Champions League, ahead of Bayern Munich (4.4) and Barcelona (7.2).