ROBIN VAN PERSIE scored a hat-trick as Manchester United kept their season alive by storming back to beat Olympiakos 3-0 and reach the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday.
United were left on the brink of elimination after losing the first leg of the last 16 tie 2-0, but on a stirring night at Old Trafford the Dutchman’s treble took them into the last eight for the first time since 2011.
Van Persie’s evening was to end on a sour note, as he was stretchered from the field in the latter stages after going down holding his leg, but it did not dampen United’s celebrations.
It was the first time United had ever overturned a two-goal deficit in the competition and made them only the sixth team to have clawed back a disadvantage of two goals or more in the Champions League era.
Victory was far from straightforward, however, with United goalkeeper David de Gea notably producing a fine double save shortly before Van Persie levelled the tie in first-half injury time.
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United’s progress will ease the pressure on manager David Moyes, whose position was the subject of intense press speculation prior to kick-off, but he will remain under scrutiny over the season’s closing weeks.
Sunday’s 3-0 loss at home to Liverpool left United 12 points outside the top four in the Premier League, meaning that they may have to qualify for next season’s Champions League by winning the current edition.
United, for whom Ryan Giggs excelled in central midfield, made their attacking intent immediately clear, with the forwards pressing high up the pitch and sighs echoing around the ground whenever the ball went backwards.
Olympiakos received two early setbacks when Kostas Manolas and Alejandro Dominguez picked up bookings that would have ruled them out of the first leg in the quarter-finals, but they worried United on the counter-attack.
A low Jose Holebas cross had to be hacked clear by Phil Jones, while Hernan Perez should have done better than hoist the ball high and wide from 12 yards after being picked out by Joel Campbell.
Gradually, United raised the tempo, and after Wayne Rooney had put a header against the post from a floated Giggs cross, they secured a foothold in the tie in the 25th minute.
Giggs was the architect, his raking pass freeing Van Persie, who was clattered from behind by Holebas, and after referee Bjorn Kuipers pointed to the spot, the Dutch striker swept home from 12 yards.
Visiting goalkeeper Roberto then touched a Patrice Evra header over the bar, but United would have had a mountain to climb had De Gea not produced a stunning double save to thwart David Fuster and Dominguez.
Within minutes the tie was level, as Giggs — again — freed Rooney with a lofted ball into the inside-right channel and the England man centred for Van Persie to slam home.
United had the momentum and seven minutes into the second half they made it count when Van Persie whipped a 25-yard free-kick past an oddly static Roberto to complete his first Champions League hat-trick.
The hosts remained vulnerable, however, with Olympiakos needing just one goal to regain the lead, and there were heart-in-mouth moments when De Gea was obliged to save from Perez and Dominguez.
Ultimately United survived, but at the cost of Van Persie’s injury and a booking to Evra that rules him out of the first leg of their quarter-finals.
Ok not really the lad was excellent for ath. madrid before he moved to utd..had a couple of dodgy games at the start of his first season but has since shown his quality….fergie …..I mean moysie sign him up for years to come please
We showed character at least tonight. Unlikely to go any further. Evra legs doing the same rpm as Ferdinand now. Again 10 years of under investment chickens are home to roost now.
Desie whatever about the rights and wrongs of the 300k a week and i personally think wrong, if you knew anything about football me oul flower you would have seen Rooney attitude tonight was spot on.
A hat-trick is admirable, but let’s remember 2 were from dead balls. If Utd draw R Madrid or Munich they could get a severe beating and pretty certain they won’t progress if they draw any of the others, probably the weakest side still in the competition
Look man give us this one. We’ve been hearing all about a three nil win for the last few days – two of them dead balls already this week. Agreed we’ll find it tough against the above but we did what we had to do today and for the moment that’s all that matters.
I wonder now now will the English media get off his back now fair enough far from his best but still better than the 300 grand a week man who they over rate big time holds the club ransom and hasn’t scored yet again!!!
What you apologising on my behalf for. I was calling him a clown as he was talking about Rooney not scoring tonight. Rooney did a great job tonight regardless of scoring. So speak for yourself in future bit anyone else Conor
Much better from Utd tonight… They were well up for it – worked much harder… would question why they couldn’t bring that attitude on Sun in the LPool game… Must also say the Utd fans have been excellent during this period… great on Sun & tonight…
Good comeback by Manchester United, great saves by De Gea, good passes by Giggs the father & Rooney, the Lads has done it again, Tremendous efforts from RVP. Glory be to the ALMIGHTY GOD for giving me another happy moment. Thank GOD, David Moyes, I predict United winning the European Trophy. GGMU.
Just like last year… 3 cl to look at. Everyone will be hoping to get United in the next round. … buy buy conor . Academy not looking great either, fergie left this over achieving club in the dog house lol haha. Hala Madrid :)
Not many united fans are claiming they will get further I wouldn’t think. Those comments are just a sad reflection on you lads and boring or even funny at this stage of the season.
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The improvement of David De Gea from his first season at United to now has been incredible.
Ok not really the lad was excellent for ath. madrid before he moved to utd..had a couple of dodgy games at the start of his first season but has since shown his quality….fergie …..I mean moysie sign him up for years to come please
Great stuff. Hope they beat City as well.
I’m Chelsea supporter,but congrats to Man U. at least some character was showed tonight. Now let’s wait and see who plays who in the last 8
Magic Rvp!!!
Well done Man U, fan or not, always good to see real teams do well…. Unlike objects of fun….
We showed character at least tonight. Unlikely to go any further. Evra legs doing the same rpm as Ferdinand now. Again 10 years of under investment chickens are home to roost now.
Evra rulled out of the next leg too. Major blessing in disguise!!
Doesn’t matter. Any of the other 7 teams left in the competition would demolish united
Moyes has brought consistency. Top 8 in premier league, top 8 in Europe.
I hope they beat city on Tuesday and do Liverpool a big favour
Manchester United may have won but my opinion on David Moyes hasnt changed
Is there ever anything positive out of you
No one cares about your opinion
Desie whatever about the rights and wrongs of the 300k a week and i personally think wrong, if you knew anything about football me oul flower you would have seen Rooney attitude tonight was spot on.
Great result, poor performance. Showed some gut tonight but the greeks were pure muck.
A hat-trick is admirable, but let’s remember 2 were from dead balls. If Utd draw R Madrid or Munich they could get a severe beating and pretty certain they won’t progress if they draw any of the others, probably the weakest side still in the competition
Look man give us this one. We’ve been hearing all about a three nil win for the last few days – two of them dead balls already this week. Agreed we’ll find it tough against the above but we did what we had to do today and for the moment that’s all that matters.
Dead balls so what ? Fouls from united pressure
Ah jaysus
I wonder now now will the English media get off his back now fair enough far from his best but still better than the 300 grand a week man who they over rate big time holds the club ransom and hasn’t scored yet again!!!
Rooney was fantastic there tonight ya clown and if you opened your eyes would have seen him play midfield.
Is he worth 300 grand ye clown 11 league goals for that kind of money
Patrick, you don’t have to be a jerk to get your point across.
Sorry Dessie. :/
Dessie, he’s won more than any other forward his age in the league. A lot more.
He is worth every penny.
What you apologising on my behalf for. I was calling him a clown as he was talking about Rooney not scoring tonight. Rooney did a great job tonight regardless of scoring. So speak for yourself in future bit anyone else Conor
Bit=not
Much better from Utd tonight… They were well up for it – worked much harder… would question why they couldn’t bring that attitude on Sun in the LPool game… Must also say the Utd fans have been excellent during this period… great on Sun & tonight…
Real Madrid in the next round…. bye bye united and the tears will follow as they should be beaten easily. Pls let this happen
Even if it happens, we’ll take this victory with a pinch of salt, Joe. So really, “not” big words coming from you.
Get bobby chartlon back and win everything next season
Are united a better team without mata??? Lols
Good comeback by Manchester United, great saves by De Gea, good passes by Giggs the father & Rooney, the Lads has done it again, Tremendous efforts from RVP. Glory be to the ALMIGHTY GOD for giving me another happy moment. Thank GOD, David Moyes, I predict United winning the European Trophy. GGMU.
Just like last year… 3 cl to look at. Everyone will be hoping to get United in the next round. … buy buy conor . Academy not looking great either, fergie left this over achieving club in the dog house lol haha. Hala Madrid :)
Look the reaction is BOOM! YAAAAAAH!
But keep calm, the next 45 minutes of football will tell us how inspired the players are after this.
Not many united fans are claiming they will get further I wouldn’t think. Those comments are just a sad reflection on you lads and boring or even funny at this stage of the season.
A crowd of Mickey Mouse Fancy Pants Teams left in it ~ United are no worse than any of them..
Good result, flattering scoreline though.
Greeks were lucky not to get one tonight.
But definitely more spirit and grit from United!!