Man Utd progressed to the quarter-finals of the Champions League after a 2-1 win and a nervy night against Marseille at Old Trafford.
No Old Trafford magic, but Ferguson's Treble quest remains
It was not the spellbinding evening that Sir Alex Ferguson had requested, but a 2-1 victory over Marseille allowed Manchester United to progress to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
Upon the evidence of a goalless last-16 first leg, opposing manager Didier Deschamps had suggested in the build-up to the Old Trafford meeting that the current Premier League leaders lack the 'fantasy' of the famous Treble winners of 1999.
Ferguson's obvious response in his programme notes was to demand a magical evening to compare to famous European nights of old against the cream of the continent at the Theatre of Dreams.
But, while goals from Javier Hernandez in either half secured a place in Friday's draw for the last eight of Europe, it was more anxious than awe-inspiring for the Stretford End as Marseille proved an equal match for their English opponents.
The hapless Wes Brown's late own-goal encapsulated an evening in which Andre-Pierre Gignac, fit again after missing the Cote d'Azur meeting with a leg problem, and Loic Remy were a menace to a United defence, which was missing the injured Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand.
Despite Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final win over Arsenal, Marseille were causing nerves to resurface in the wake of the domestic defeats to Chelsea and Liverpool in the league.
Ferguson, though, has seen enough European campaigns in his relentless pursuit of trophies to know that it is only the result that matters and he now stands a successful 16 games away from another Treble.
Any pre-match doubts that the wily Scot had been using smoke and mirror tactics when insisting his side would attack the visiting French champions were quickly dismissed.
Hernandez chased down Marseille goalkeeper and captain Steve Mandanda from kick-off; Wayne Rooney produced a clever flick to Ryan Giggs; captain for the night Patrice Evra caught Remy on his heels.
United were aiming for the jugular and were searching for the killer incision. They did not have to wait long as, with just five minutes on the clock, Rooney was the conjurer.
Stood on the centre-circle, the England striker released an exquisite volley with the outside of his right boot to Giggs on the left wing. Rooney sprinted into the penalty area to collect a return from his club-mate and, with a cross-shot, gifted the unmarked Hernandez, who was selected over Dimitar Berbatov, with a tap-in at the back post after an intelligent run.
It was the start Ferguson craved and United, orchestrated by Rooney, were worth their lead after attacking Marseille with unflinching intensity in the opening 300 seconds.
Dominate
But inside 10 minutes there was a perfect explanation of the 24 hours of speculation and fret among United fans regarding the fitness of Serbian centre-back Vidic.
It was confirmed before kick-off that the defender would be missing due to a calf problem, and, with Ferdinand also unavailable through a similar injury, the fitness setback meant Chris Smalling was again partnered by Brown.
The pair had been overwhelmed at Liverpool nine days earlier and an apparent lack of communication was again evident as Marseille star striker Gignac split the centre-backs to collect Stephane Mbia's chipped pass, only to lift an effort over the bar.
Marseille had cleared their heads after the early siege, which had seen Deschamps' team concede their first European goal in 517 minutes, but Rooney was still dropping deep and Paul Scholes was using all of his 118 Champions League games worth of experience to dominate midfield from a holding role.
There was also no question about Hernandez's motivation as the Mexican striker clattered into former United centre-back Gabriel Heinze to earn the night's first booking from Spanish referee Carlos Velasco Carballo.
Marseille were their own worst enemies in the 23rd minute as Mandanda's inexplicably poor kick from his hands went straight to Nani. But Rooney's eventual pass came to nothing.
However, the visitors had grown in confidence and the 35th minute brought the greatest intake of breath of the first half among the United masses.
Ferguson had selected John O'Shea ahead of Rafael at right-back on the basis of the former's height against a physically powerful Marseille side, but the versatile Irishman was off the field receiving treatment for a hamstring injury, which led to his substitution, after a previous attack when Deschamps' men won a corner.
Blunder
Lucho Gonzalez's set-piece went short to Taye Taiwo, whose perfect cross was met by Souleymane Diawara, but, having got a run on Brown, the Senegalese centre-back headed the glorious chance wide of the target.
United were apprehensive as half-time approached and it was an end-to-end contest. Smalling's messy chest clearance led to Remy rifling a volley narrowly over the crossbar, before United's 21-year-old went close from a Giggs corner at the opposite end of the field.
Ferguson had scouted Marseille against Monaco and Rennes and was wary of the counter-attacking threat, but he would have been pleased to have been able to issue a new set of instructions at the interval.
However, it appeared to make little difference immediately after the restart, when Edwin van der Sar had to be alert to dart off his line and gather at the feet of Gignac, who continued to threaten.
Scholes remained an assured presence in the centre of midfield and the range of the ex-England international's passing was there for all to see, while Rooney also produced a brilliant 60-yard ball in the direction of Nani.
The hour mark brought Antonio Valencia's second appearance as he edges back to full fitness after five-and-a-half months of rehabilitation from a career-threatening ankle injury. Nani was the man to come off.
Brown was continuing to concern and he threw an ungainly body shape when stood in yards of space, attempting to deal with a Taiwo cross, and was fortune not to touch the ball towards his own goal.
Ferguson had called for magic, but it appeared his right-backs were hexed. The 70th minute brought an end to Rafael's 34-minute outing as another hamstring injury led to the introduction of his brother, Fabio.
Deschamps sent on the cunning Mathieu Valbuena, who was quickly booked after a coming together with Brown, in place of Gignac, with Remy moving to a central position.
But, with 15 minutes remaining, the pressure valve at Old Trafford was released as Hernandez's exceptional movement and ability to find space were again rewarded with a simple finish.
The name of last summer's signing will go in the score books, but plaudits also went to Giggs' cross and Valencia, the creator of 93 chances for United since August 2010, for a clever reverse pass.
Brown's blundering at a corner in the 83rd minute, which Scholes could not be prevent from crossing the line, meant that it was a far from comfortable conclusion, but Marseille failed to capitalise and United's quest for a Treble remains on track.
| Manchester United |
Team Statistics |
Marseille |
| 2 |
Goals |
1 |
| 1 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 7 |
Shots on Target |
3 |
| 2 |
Shots off Target |
5 |
| 0 |
Blocked Shots |
3 |
| 6 |
Corners |
6 |
| 12 |
Fouls |
15 |
| 5 |
Offsides |
2 |
| 1 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 75 |
Passing Success |
69.7 |
| 16 |
Tackles |
19 |
| 81.2 |
Tackles Success |
73.7 |
| 53.7 |
Possession |
46.3 |
| 42.8 |
Territorial Advantage |
57.2 |
|
