There have been some great nights for Man. United at home in Europe – and some dreadfully disappointing ones. Tonight’s encounter with Real Madrid could be one of either given the tie is so delicately poised.
Here is a look at the best and the worst for the Red Devils.
Highs
1957 – Manchester United 10 Anderlecht 0.
United’s first European home game remains their biggest win. Dennis Viollet scored four in a match played at Maine Road as Old Trafford could not stage evening games.
1968 – Manchester United 1 Real Madrid 0.
The acid test for Matt Busby’s side, which they came through courtesy of George Best’s goal.
It set the semi-final up for a memorable second leg, which United came through.
1984 – Manchester United 3 Barcelona 0.
Two goals down from the first leg against a Barca side containing Diego Maradona, United turned the tie on its head thanks to two goals from Bryan Robson before Frank Stapleton netted the crucial third.
2007 – Manchester United 7 Roma 1.
Quite astonishing performance from the Red Devils, who were trailing from the first leg. Michael Carrick, Alan Smith and Wayne Rooney scored inside the opening 20 minutes before Cristiano Ronaldo struck either side of half-time. Carrick and Patrice Evra did the rest.
2008 – Manchester United 1 Barcelona 0.
Semi-final second leg which was decided by Paul Scholes’s early thunderbolt. Hardly tells the story as an increasingly nervous Old Trafford watched United defend for their lives.
Lows
1966 – Manchester United 1 Partizan Belgrade 0.
Two goals down from the first leg, hopes were still high that the semi-final could be turned around.
United dominated but only had Nobby Stiles’s effort to show for it at the end and out they went.
1996 – Manchester United 0 Fenerbahce 1.
In 40 years and 56 matches of European combat on home soil, United had never lost.
The record went when Elvir Bolic fired the Turks’ winner 13 minutes from time.
1997 – Manchester United 0 Borussia Dortmund 1.
A night of heady expectation was punctured by Lars Ricken’s eighth-minute goal. Already behind in the semi-final, it meant Manchester United suddenly had to get three... they didn’t.
2000 – Manchester United 2 Real Madrid 3.
Goalless from the first leg, the holders were favourites to claim a semi-final berth.
Unfortunately, they were hammered instead, falling three goals behind before David Beckham and Paul Scholes secured minimal consolation.
2004 – Manchester United 1 Porto 1.
United were supposed to put an upstart in his place.
Instead, Jose Mourinho went sliding down the Old Trafford touchline after Costinha’s last-minute effort sent Porto through to the next round.