Man Utd 1-2 Real Madrid (2-3 Agg) - Nani's Dismissal Spoils Game

Manchester United's Champions League dream is over following a controversial 2-1 defeat to reigning Spanish champions Real Madrid at Old Trafford last night. With the tie locked at 1-1 following the draw at the Santiago Bernabeu last month, the hosts gained the upper hand when defender Sergio Ramos prodded into his own goal moments after half time. However, referee Cuneyt Cakir issued Nani a straight red card following a collision with Alvaro Arbeloa, which transformed the tie as first Luka Modric, and then Cristiano Ronaldo scored two quick-fire goals to knock United out. Jose Mourinho's side displayed none of the panache which saw them defeat rivals Barcelona back-to-back the week before and for large swathes of the game were a subdued force while United were also able to quieten Ronaldo, the former Red Devil who was making only his first appearance at the Theatre of Dreams since his world-record-smashing £80 million move to Madrid. But they were ruthless as they took apart ten-man United to knock them out of the competition for a second time, and become the only team in the tournament to have defeated them at Old Trafford more than once. It all looked so good for United when they were gifted a slice of luck moments into the second half when a Nani cross flashed across the penalty area, before taking a touch off Danny Welbeck and prodded in by the unfortunate Ramos. The goal scarcely gave the tie a new complexion considering Real still needed the one goal to remain in contention, but it was a deserved one following the host's impressive performance in the first half. As United surged forwards looking for a crucial second, controversy struck midway into the second half when Nani challenged Arbeloa for a 50-50 ball and collided with the defender mid-air with his boot, leaving the Spaniard sprawled out on the floor. Both players seemed hurt following the incident and as the referee waited for Nani to get back to his feet, he astonished almost everyone when he produced red, not the yellow that may have been warranted. Ferguson was visibly aghast as he leapt from his seat and marched to the touchline to remonstrate with the officials as the Old Trafford faithful were left stunned. Cakir's decision obviously transformed the game and ten-man United simply couldn't hold on. First, former Tottenham man Luka Modric reminded everyone just why Real paid £33 million for his services when he showed a fine change of pace as he jinked past the United defence before swerving a sublime long-ranged effort past the outstretched arm of David de Gea and in off the post close to the 70th minute. The hosts now faced the prospect of enduring another 50 minutes with the potential of extra-time looming large but they were put out of their misery when Cristiano Ronaldo latched onto the end of a Gonzalo Higuain cross to prod in from close range. There was almost an inevitability that the former United hero would find himself on the scoresheet, as was his admired refusal to celebrate in front of a crowd who so adored him for six seasons. United showed heart at the death and may have reduced the deficit but for a series of fine saves from stand-in keeper Diego Lopez, who thwarted Vidic from close range by batting out his header while Carrick and Van Persie also went close and Rooney, who was surprisingly left on the bench by Ferguson, blazed over the bar from 10 yards out after replacing Cleverley. There was no arrogance to Jose Mourinho following his side's win. There would be no manic touchline jig as we saw in 2004 when his Porto side were victorious following Francisco Costinha's injury-time goal, which knocked United out of that season's Champions League. Instead we saw a humble man, as the Portuguese hugged Ferguson in the dying embers of the game, shook his hand before - with a win wrapped up - almost apologetically sloping away from the field and down to the changing rooms with moments to go, knowing that his side had been incredibly lucky.