2. A Big Sale, A Big Mistake?
The second moment that defined the game occured before the game. Nearly four years before the game, to be precise. While he may not have dominated the two legs, and in his own words was disappointing, Cristiano Ronaldo was the difference between the two teams. Period. Firstly, and obviously, he scored two goals in the tie, one of which was, inevitably, the deciding goal of the tie. And secondly, for the majority of the ties, he occupied two of United's players, which would then have left another one of Madrid's gifted attacking players with a bit more freedom and space to, if they felt like it, wreak havoc in and around United's defence. The aura surrounding Ronaldo has also grown massively since he left Old Trafford (that's what 137 goals in 127 matches can do for you), and this will have played on the United players' mind throughout the build up and both matches. While he may not have taken the game by the scruff of the neck, you would much rather have the sensationally talented Portuguese attacker running with you rather than at you.