United dare to dream as Bayern show hint of weakness

Whisper it, but the emotions around Old Trafford edged, ever so slightly, from outright hope towards expectation over the weekend. Not that any of the Manchester United fans travelling to Bayern Munich’s fortress in Bavaria would ever dare admit it.

This has been one long season for those supporters, not to mention David Moyes and his players. But there have been two areas which have provided the odd reason to be cheerful. The first is their form away from home; their second is their record in the Champions League.

So it is perhaps appropriate that what could be the side’s last meaningful game of the campaign comes on the road in Europe. What’s more, they are still very much in the tie ahead of the second leg at the Allianz Arena — which looked like a big ask when the sides were initially paired.