Manchester United is in a transitional period: Erik Ten Hag has come in and settled the ship for the time being, and the early signs have been positive.
In European competition, however, United play in the UEFA Europa League after missing out on qualification for Europe’s premier club competition last term.
Outright Odds
In United’s absence, a bet on Champions League markets via Paddy Power has city rivals Manchester City the favourites offered at 9/5. Meanwhile, North West rivals Liverpool are also one of the favourites in the Champions League tips at 8/1 and both of United’s biggest rivals having a fair chance of the greatest club success in football should fuel the Red Devils to return to the competition next season.
Here we will look back on the last time United won the competition in 2008 in the first-ever all-English final against Chelsea in Moscow. Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring shortly before the half-hour mark meeting Wes Brown’s cross with a thumping header that Petr Cech could not keep out.
On this day in 2008, Cristiano Ronaldo scored an iconic header as United beat Roma on their way to the Champions League title.
— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 1, 2021
He wasn't even in the picture when the cross came in 😳
(🎥 via @ChampionsLeague) pic.twitter.com/rrMtOTJBNS
Ronaldo’s Golden Touch
Ronaldo turned up on the biggest stage as he often thrived on the highest pressure occasions throughout his career. But Chelsea’s big game player Frank Lampard netted the equaliser before half time after an opportunity was presented on a plate for him following a fortunate deflection. The second half passes goalless, owed to the two keepers’ fantastic performances, but especially Edwin van der Sar who made several stunning saves to keep his team in the tie.
There was controversy near the end of extra time as Didier Drogba was sent off for slapping Nemanja Vidic, which ultimately meant one of Chelsea’s strongest penalty-takers could not take part in the shoot-out.
😡 It’s all kicking off now… AND THAT’S A RED CARD FOR DROGBA!
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 30, 2020
🏆 @ChampionsLeague | #UCL pic.twitter.com/xNWOY53H2Y
Tense Affair
Captain Rio Ferdinand won the toss and decided that his side would take first in the penalty shoot-out. Carlos Tevez and Michael Ballack would take their sides’ first spot-kicks and both made no mistake dispatching with ease and furthering the tension for both sides.
Michael Carrick stepped up next for United and made no mistake followed by Brazilian Juliano Belletti who drew Chelsea level. Next, Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up but his stuttering run-up seemed to deprive him of all momentum and power and Petr Cech saved to his right-hand side.
Lampard and Ashley Cole added a third and fourth goal for the West London club in the shoot-out and Owen Hargreaves and Ronaldo’s Portuguese teammate Nani also netted.
But Chelsea captain John Terry was awarded the chance to win the European Cup for Chelsea but the nerves and perhaps the rainy conditions got the better of him and he slipped on his run up and hit the post as the shoot-out continued to sudden death.
Anderson and Salomon Kalou made no mistake in the first round but anxiety grew and grew for both sides as the margins become thinner, kick by kick.
Ryan Giggs netted on the seventh round of spot-kicks meaning Nicolas Anelka had to find the net to avoid defeat for Chelsea. But van der Sar saved making United European Champions for the third time and securing his Man of the Match award in the biggest fixture of all.
