Another Job Done

Manchester United are through to the last eight of the European Cup after a 1-0 win over Lille.

News came on before the game that Saha's got a hamstring strain and will be unavailable for a month. Not exactly a morale boost...

The game itself was boring and surprisingly calm. United dominated possession, Lille were looking for counter-attacks and long shots but chances were few and far between. Rooney's volley was blocked by Chalmé in the 15th minute and after the corner O'Shea's header clattered of the bar.

That was all we produced in the first half but Lille did even less to score and it was an interesting question to ask how they would want to get through without scoring?

I would go as far as saying the Reds were calm and composed in the first half but the 4-3-3 formation, in the absence of Giggs and Saha meant that our attacking play lacked imagination again.

The second half was a nervy affair. Lille put up a fight but long shots were the most they managed to carve out. They committed some nasty fouls but Medina Cantalejo (a referee I heartily dislike) kept the evens under his control.

In the 71st minute, Ronaldo surged forward on the left, worked his way towards the byline and his inch-perfect cross found the unmarked Larsson who had not trouble in heading it home from 10 yards.

The game was effectively over after this, Fergie even brought on Smith who produced a lively display in the last 20 minutes. Unfortunately, Mikael Silvestre suffered a shoulder injury and had to stretchered off at the end. But United are through to the last eight - for the first time in four years.

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