Nemanja Vidic was Manchester United’s captain marvel as they put aside their troubles to hold Bayern Munich and keep their Champions League dream alive.
The Serbian stopper put his side ahead in their quarter-final clash with his first European goal in five years before Bastian Schweinsteiger endured mixed fortunes, levelling for the reigning champions before seeing red in the final minute for a second booking.
A battling performance will have heartened United boss David Moyes, who had described this game as the “ultimate test”. And given United’s abject failure in the Premier League, there was a fear this tie could be settled without the need for a second leg.
But the hosts finally showed the fight that had been noticeably absent in much of this campaign of under-achievement.
It was evident when Antonio Valencia and Wayne Rooney had Bayern rattled on the right and combined well to set up a fourth-minute opportunity for Danny Welbeck.
The striker, though, was harshly penalised for a high foot as he lifted the ball over Javi Martinez – filling in at centre-back for the suspended Dante – before volleying past Manuel Neuer.
After that, they hardly got a touch of the ball for long periods. Inventive and imposing, Bayern’s brisk, delightful one-touch passing constantly had United backpeddling.
But a succession of shots failed to find their target as Arjen Robben curled a couple of efforts wide and Thomas Muller miskicked from six yards out after Robben and Franck Ribery had cleverly combined to set up the striker.
David De Gea was finally called into action in the 31st minute and the Spaniard did not let his side down, flying to his right to pushaway another Robben attempt from the edge of the box that was curling into the corner.
After Alex Buttner had survived a penalty appeal when Rafinha’s cross struck his hand, it was Bayern’s keeper who rescued his side in a crucial moment.
Crisp, consecutive passes from Ryan Giggs and Rooney saw Jerome Boateng slip under pressure from Welbeck and the frontman was able to race clear.
As Neuer approached, Welbeck chose to chip, albeit too casually, and the Bayern keeper’s strong right hand denied him – much to the visible annoyance of team-mate Rooney.
Moyes knew his side could not afford to waste openings like that, and especially against a Bayern outfit that had been pretty much invincible since winning three trophies last season and having retained the German Bundesliga with seven games to spare.
Technically, they had far toomuch for United, but they were increasingly frustrated by their inability to make the most of their dominance in possession and test De Gea.
Rio Ferdinand blocked well from Robben before his defensive partner had Old Trafford shaking after opening the scoring in the 58th minute.
Shinji Kagawa, who had replaced the injured Giggs at half-time, won a corner on the left and Rooney picked out an unmarked Vidic, who rose superbly and used amazing strength to direct his header into the net.
Having confirmed his departure to Inter Milan at the end of the season, questions had been asked about the captain’s commitment to United’s cause, but this answered any doubts.
Bayern head coach Pep Guardiola turned to Mario Mandzukic and the substitute striker set up the 66th minute leveller, nodding down Rafinha’s cross for Schweinsteiger to finish with a sweet half-volley.
With neither side finding a winner, the midfielder’s night soon turned sour when he was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Rooney, while Martinez will also be missing in Munich after a booking.
Man of the match
Nemanja Vidic United have lacked leadership in their struggles this season and Vidic has been found wanting against pace. But he stood firm with a determined display. His partnership with Ferdinand was resolute and a glimpse of the pair at their peak.
