Manchester United staged a remarkable comeback against Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
The Serie A giants went ahead courtesy of a stunning Cristiano Ronaldo volley but Juan Mata scored a sublime free-kick in the 86th minute before Ashley Young’s delivery three minutes later forced an own goal from Alex Sandro to complete a 2-1 comeback win in Turin.
It was the kind of night in Europe United haven’t enjoyed in a while.
Here, we look at their top five of all-time.
5. Manchester United 7-1 Roma |April 10, 2007
When Michael Carrick scores two long-range screamers, you know it was a special night. Having lost the first leg of the quarter-finals 2-1 in Rome, the midfielder got the Red Devils off to a flying start with an effort from distance before Alan Smith finished off a flowing move and Wayne Rooney added a third.
Cristiano Ronaldo then bagged a brace with Carrick scoring his second as well while even Patrice Evra got in on the act. Daniele De Rossi’s thumping consolation was the only blemish in an emphatic 7-1 over a strong Roma side.
It marked the beginning of a very special United team that would go on to win the competition in the following season.
4. Juventus 2-3 Manchester United | April 21, 1999
Very much the Roy Keane game. It was a superb captain’s performance that made the dream final that year possible, one he knew he wouldn’t be involved in midway through the encounter.
After a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, Filippo Inzaghi scored twice early in Turin to seemingly confirm Juventus’ spot in the final. Keane sparked a memorable comeback though, scoring with a header and running his socks off to get United through.
Dwight Yorke equalised and with the Reds still heading out on away goals, Andy Cole struck at the death to complete an unlikely revival.
3. Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea (6-5 on pens) | May 21, 2008
Ronaldo kept up his sensational form and scored a towering header to give United the lead in the first half, one during which they should’ve extended their lead. Chelsea though got back into the contest after the break and Frank Lampard’s equaliser took the game to extra-time where no more goals were scored despite both sides being afforded chances to clinch the winner.
In the shootout, Ronaldo’s effort was saved by Petr Cech but John Terry slipped on a rainy night in Moscow to miscue his kick and the chance to score the winning penalty. Edwin van der Sar then denied Nicolas Anelka to win it for United.
2. Benfica 1-4 Manchester United (AET) | May 29, 1968
Just 10 years after the tragic Munich aircrash that cruelly took the lives of several United players, the team was back at the very top and looking to conquer Europe.
Facing a Benfica side led by Eusebio, Bobby Charlton gave the English outfit the lead in the 53rd minute but Jaime da Silva Graca’s equaliser took the game into extra-time where George Best would wield his magic.
The sensational winger rounded the keeper to give United the lead again in the 92nd minute and went on to terrorise the Portuguese side. Brian Kidd scored two minutes later while Charlton put the game beyond Benfica with his second in the 99th minute.
1. Manchester United 2-1 Bayern Munich | May 26, 1999
In a season of incredible comebacks, United had won the Premier League and FA Cup. They then set their sights on a historic treble that could be completed with an honour they hadn’t won in over three decades.
Bayern Munich though posed a formidable obstacle and Mario Basler gave them an early lead in Barcelona through a free-kick. In truth, the Germans should’ve been further ahead as the game drew to its conclusion, creating far more chances than the Premier League outfit.
However, Alex Ferguson’s side never knew when it was beaten. They went until the very end and second half substitute Teddy Sheringham scored following a David Beckham corner to snatch a dramatic 91st minute equaliser.
Another Beckham corner two minutes later, with virtually the last play of the game, was flicked on by Sheringham to the far post where Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stabbed home an iconic winner to send United fans into delirium.
United had reached the promised land.
