United hang on for victory

Bayer Leverkusen 1 Man Utd 2

Manchester United emerged triumphant on German soil for the first time in 36 years against Leverkusen tonight, but they only managed it by the width of a post.

Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first half double should have allowed Sir Alex Ferguson’s team to stroll home and exact maximum revenge for their heartbreaking semi-final exit to Leverkusen last season.