Nani For Nothing

Let's just make this clear right from the start: the referee has ruined the UEFA Champions League Round-of-16, 2nd Leg match between Manchester United and Real Madrid. What was developing into a keenly-fought tussle turned into an attackers-versus-defenders contest, as United, down to 10 men after Nani's dismissal, were forced to convert to defensive-shield mode to try and ward off Madrid's attacking dynamism.

How could Nani's foul be deemed a red-card offence? A yellow card, yes. But not a red one. It might have looked bad as his leg actually kicked through the player's chest open-studded, but in the larger context, he was going after a high ball and couldn't withdraw his leg motion as the opposing player just got there a fraction ahead of him. There was no malicious intent at all from Nani, and thus it should not have been a red card. Anyway, things were going well for United, there was no hint of any bad blood anywhere on the field, Nani is not a particularly antagonistic guy... so why the hell would he have tried to hurt an opponent anyway? The look on his face said it all, and the fury shown by Sir Alex Ferguson was typical and not unexpected (he nearly pushed over his assistant as he rushed down to remonstrate with the fourth official).

By the way, did u all see the look on Jose Mourinho's face as he made his entrance into the Theatre of Dreams before the match started? It was like he was going into a war. Priceless expression, I must say. When Madrid skipper Sergio Ramos, who had been outstanding until then, put through his own net to give United the aggregate lead, things looked great for the Red Devils. Everything was going alright.

But after the sending-off, United panicked and went into defensive mode, which was a mistake, to say the least. It handed the initiative immediately over to Madrid, and gave a flagging team self-confidence again. It was like a second invitation to the party, and Madrid were not looking back. Mourinho, excellent at making key substitutions, made the change that altered the complexion of the game beyond redemption. Former Tottenham superstar Luka Modric was brought in for defensive-minded right-back Alvaro Arbeloa. The perfect player for the perfect situation. A guy who specialises in pulling and turning a defensive team apart. Once he had managed to adjust his headband on properly to look like the 'Last of the New-Age Mohicans', there was no turning back for Madrid; they were on the upswing. Modric was already looking influential; then in the 66th minute, he unleashed an unsuspecting, laser-accurate (and I mean Laser-Accurate) right-foot shot that gave David De Gea no chance.

With the score at 1-1, United seemed to freeze even more. Mourinho's men were smelling blood. United's dream was fading by the seams. Barely three minutes after the equaliser, Gonzalo Higuain turned provider as he turned in an inviting ball from the right. Cristiano Ronaldo, the predator that he is, went full-stretch with his right-foot to divert it in. Old Trafford was stunned. United now needed two goals to avoid losing. An impossible task with only 10 men. Wayne Rooney was brought on in the 73rd minute to replace Tom Cleverley and try to concoct a magical rescue act. But magic my balls.... There was no David Blaine there man... It was too late and useless to change anything. Even bringing on wingers Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia couldn't do much to change the outcome of the game.

My question is: why did Sir Alex Ferguson play such a strange starting line-up? No Rooney? 39-year-old Ryan Giggs starting and playing the entire game? No Young, Valencia or Kagawa in the starting line-up? Very strange. How can Rooney not be starting such a big match? It's obvious that there's some problems between him and Ferguson, that must be the only reason why. Once again, Ferguson shows the world who's in charge at Old Trafford.

But Ronaldo has proven his point. In perhaps the biggest game of his career, he not only played well, he scored the winner. With all the focus on him, all the pressure, all the attention, he still delivered. That makes him a class above the rest. Also, Madrid's centre-back pairing of Ramos and Raphael Varane played brilliantly, although they were both culpable for United's goal. Kaka also played well after coming on at the end of the first half for the injured Angel di Maria. For United, the treble dream is well and truly over.