Manchester United 3 Bayern Munich 2

There were chatter that Wayne Rooney was doing a full work out on a bicycle and it was said he played in a practice match with the youth team at Carrington.

I knew Rooney would want to play and I knew Sir Alex would most likely start Rooney given the dismal team performance for the last 2 matches. Losing tonight would most likely be the end of the season. We needed a lift and the senior players had been urging the crowd to be in full support all week.

And when Rooney was named in the starting eleven, and Old Trafford was truly buzzing.

Sir Alex made 3 changes.

Rafeal for Neville. Valencia, Carrick, Fletcher, Gibson and Nani in the midfield and Rooney upfront.

And the changes made were a stroke of masterpiece from Sir Alex.

Rafael drives forward, lays the ball squarely to Rooney who immediately lays the ball to Darron Gibson. Perhaps Bayern were unaware of Gibson's long range shooting abilities and Darron was given the time and space to open the scoring.

3 minutes. 1-0. United got the goal they wanted.

United doubled its lead 3 minutes later. Rooney sends a long, beautiful cross field pass to Valencia. Valencia attacked the flank and sends a cross to a totally unmark Nani who scores with a neat flick!

2-0 inside 8 minutes. Old Trafford was rocking and Bayern was rocked by United.

And in 41 st minute, Valencia sets up Nani's second. 3-0. United is in dream land. I thought I was dreaming.

Two minutes later, Olic pulls one back for Bayern. 3-1. 4-3 on aggregate. Still ok.

Then trouble came.

50th minute. Rafael gets the red card after getting his second booking. Sigh!

Sir Alex takes out Rooney and brings on John O'Shea.

Bayern smelt blood and they went for the kill. In the 74th minute, Ribbery sends corner to the far side of goal to Robben and Robben sends an incredible volley past Van der Sar.

Oh no!

United leads 3-2 for the night but is down on away goal.

Argh!

At 3-0, we had a 2 goal lead for the tie and yet we blew it.

Sigh!