 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NIGHTS: BRAGA vs MANCHESTER UNITED

Champions League Nights

Braga vs Manchester United

by Dr. Michael Calleja

On the 7th of November 2012, Manchester United produced one of their most clinical performances on foreign soil when they ruthlessly dispatched a stubborn and resilient Braga side by three goals to one in the seething rain.

Having suffered the ignominy of an early elimination in the 2011-12 Champions League campaign, Sir Alex was determined to ensure the Red Devils would commence their Group H commitments in a determined and propitious fashion. Gritty wins against Galatasaray (1-0), CFC Cluj (2-1) and Braga at Old Trafford (3-2) ensured the Reds headed into this fixture with great alacrity and conviction.

In the lead up to the game, Sir Alex had pinpointed that a win was a must as it would all but ensure that United would win the group stage - affording a relative degree of comfort whilst ensuring young blood could get a taste of Champions League nights! In this connection, Sir Alex decided to field a strong starting eleven. David De Gea started in goal, and the back four consisted of Patrice Evra, Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and Antonio Valencia. Anderson was deployed as the holding midfielder whilst Nani and Ryan Giggs were tasked with marshalling the wings and tracking back when necessary. Offensively, Sir Alex opted to start Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez with Wayne Rooney deployed as a false nine – tasked with often dropping to receive the ball and assist Anderson in the middle of the park. As was often the case during Sir Alex’s glorious years, United made things hard for themselves and it would take a monumental (yet spirited) comeback to ensure the Reds emerged victorious. On the night, Braga were plucky and certainly not bereft of courage. Eder had almost opened the scoring on 22 minutes when he latched on to a beautiful cross from Hugo Viana only to see his header cannon off the post. Apart from this fleeting moment of danger, the first half was by and large, a drab affair.

Things became slightly convoluted when United conceded a penalty (Jonny Evans allegedly fouling Custodio) moments after the restart which prompted the referee to immediately point to the spot. Alan promptly dispatched the spot kick with confidence and United suddenly found themselves trailing.

What followed next was certainly bemusing and borderline surreal. Close to the 60 minute mark, the entire stadium suffered a power failure plunging the entire area into darkness. This prompted the game to naturally pause and all players and technical staff returned to their respective dressing rooms. Thankfully, the

impromptu ‘break’ enabled United to regroup and when minutes later they emerged back on the field of play – it was a different United side altogether. In the meantime, Rio Ferdinand was brought on to afford more defensive organisation at the back whilst the mercurial and talismanic Robin Van Persie was subbed on – to capitalise on Braga’s weariness and ostensibly worn-out centre backs.

On 80 minutes, Sir Alex’s super‑sub finally brought United level. Latching onto a pass from Ryan Giggs, the Dutchman spotted Beto slightly off his line and launched a thunderous volley above the goalkeeper levelling matters – much to the relief of all players & fans. Five minutes later, United’s incessant pressure reaped dividends as Rooney was fouled in the penalty area by Nuno Coelho. United’s number 10 promptly scored from the spot - all but sealing the win. Deep into stoppage time, Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez latched onto Rooney’s deft pass, rounded the keeper and made it 3-1 on the night.

The performance wasn’t United’s best of the campaign, but those final 10 minutes summed up what Ferguson’s United was all about. Willing to take risks, throw the kitchen sink at opponents and see out a game. The 201213 campaign could have been a memorable campaign had not a dodgy Turkish referee ruined what would turn out to be an incredibly frustrating evening against Real Madrid in the last 16 of the competition.

United’s final team of Sir Alex’s tenure at the club doesn’t always get the credit it deserves but on torrential nights like those experienced in Braga, it demonstrated that unity within the squad was certainly what ensured that the Reds would eventually capture yet another coveted Premier League title at the end of the season!