Half-time: Bayer Leverkusen 1 Manchester United 1

Leverkusen striker Oliver Neuville has pegged Manchester United back in the BayArena, just as he had done at Old Trafford last Wednesday.

Roy Keane gave United the lead on 28 minutes with his fourth goal of the season to round off a lovely move before Neuville struck in the second minute of first-half stoppage time.

Earlier United had looked to Keane to provide the inspiration, just as he had done in Turin three years ago, and he duly delivered on 28 minutes when he opened the scoring.

It was a well worked goal and Veron found Keane who laid it off to van Nistelrooy and the Dutchman played in the United skipper, who rounded Leverkusen goalkeeper Jorg Butt to score from the narrow angle on the left.

United were ahead on the night and in the tie overall and Leverkusen had to score to halt the Red Devils’ march on Hampden.

Nicky Butt became the first of the four United players walking a disciplinary tightrope to fall off when he was booked for a foul on Neuville and he will be suspended for the final should the Reds make it to Hampden.

That was tough on Butt who has worked as hard as anyone in recent months to get United this far.

United pushed for a killer second goal and Veron’s goal-bound drive was deflected off Yildiray Basturk and over the bar before Butt reached back to pluck a Johnsen header out of the air.

Then, in the second minute of first-half stoppage time, Neuville turned and fired home an equaliser off the underside of the bar.