Van Persie's Hat-Trick Puts United In UCL Quarter-finals

 3-2(agg.) 

Manchester United hosted Olympiakos at Old Trafford today for a Champions League replay.  The Greek club won the first meeting 2-0 in Piraeus leaving United with their backs against the wall.  Playing in front of their own fans, United were significantly better than the first meeting between the two clubs.

The match started with high intensity as challenges came flying in from both sides leading to three yellow cards in the first ten minutes.  The players did settle into the game after that and by the end of the first-half Manchester managed to erase the two goal deficit.

Robin Van Persie won a penalty when he was knocked down by defender Jose Holebas in the box.  Van Persie took the shot from the penalty spot and scored the first goal of the day (25').  Then in the first-half stoppage-time Rooney setup Van Persie for a second goal.  Rooney played a low cross into the box and Van Persie made a great run to get in front of the defender and scored first-time (45 +1').

Shortly into the second-half Van Persie was able to complete his hat-trick, scoring from a free-kick.  Olympiakos keeper Roberto Gago failed to stick to his assignment and left the far-post unguarded allowing Van Persie's shot to find the net (51').

Olympiakos played better in the second-half than they had in the first, but could not create a goal that would have put them back in front.  Van Persie and the rest of the Red Devils were simply too good for the Greek club today as United move on to the quarter-finals.

Robin Van Persie was clearly the most important player in the match, but in the final moments of regulation he took a knock that forced him to exit the field.  A foul from behind left him in obvious pain and the striker was carried off on a stretcher.  Hopefully the injury was not too serious as United need his firepower for the matches to come.

Manchester United Shutout By Olympiakos

 2-0 

Manchester United travelled to Greece for the first leg of a Champions League fixture against Olympiakos.  United have underperformed up to this point in the Premier League, but in the group stage of the Champions League the Red Devils were unbeaten.  Olympiakos on the other hand are well in control of their league race, but only narrowly escaped their Champions League group.  Today the home team had all the fight as the underdogs stuck it to the English giant.

Olympiakos scored in the first-half thanks to a bit of good fortune.  Giannis Maniatis took a shot from range that would have been saved by United keeper De Gea easily.  On the way towards goal though, Alejandro Domínguez managed to get a flick on the ball with his heel to put the keeper on the wrong foot and find the net (38').

Manchester United fell further behind following the half-time break.  On loan from Arsenal, Joel Campbell scored the second goal for Olympiakos with a well struck shot from outside the box.  With his left-foot Campbell curled the shot around defender Ferdinand then back inside the post to score (55').

United could not rally and get a goal back to put them, at least, in better shape for the replay.  The second leg at Old Trafford is scheduled for March 19th and United will need to get at least two goals to stay alive in the Champions League.