United Stroll Past Milan

Rooney, Ferdinand, Vidic, Scholes. Ronaldinho, Pirlo, Beckham, Ambrosini. The second leg of this Champions League tie had all the makings of a classic. At least on paper. On the field it was an utterly different story altogether.

True enough, Milan did have some early chances - Ronaldinho was unlunky not to score with a header that came to him quickly, and Huntelaar should have scored but his control let him down at the crucial moment. Then, just as in the first leg, United took their chances after Milan squandered theirs. Rooney settled them with yet another header, this time from a Gary Neville cross. There musy have been an audible gasp when Neville was included in the starting line up, in the knowledge that he would be in direct competition with the former world power that is Ronaldinho. Neville had him in his pocket.

Ronaldinho actually started brightly. That header aside he played some lovely balls in behind the United rearguard. But in his heyday he was all about direct running at the opposition with the ball at feet. Not anymore. In the second half he descended to new depths, jostling with Rafael and generally sulking and complaining when things were not going his way. It was disappointing to see how far the great man has fallen.

Milan played out the first half with the majority of possession, but never really looked like scoring. Rooney killed the tie off in the second half, applying a delicate touch to a tremendous pass from Nani. After that it was a matter of how many United were going to score. It also became the David Beckham show. He received a rousing reception upon entering the field, followed by a chorus of 'There's Only One David Beckham'. It was easy for the United fans to do so considering they were three up.

It's sad to see the steep decline that has engulfed Milan. Aging players have been retained with little youth coming through. Granted they were without the pace and penetration of Pato for this tie, and the exerience of Nesta at the back. But it would be churlish to assume United would not have gone through had both been playing. It will be interesting to see where Milan go from here.

As for the lasting memory of the night - well that may very well belong to Beckham, unsurprisingly, as he wrapped himself in a green and gold scarf leaving the field. Heartfelt or photo opportunity? Only he knows.