The Red Devils Had The Last Laugh!!!

Manchester United FC came from behind 2 win a pulsating UEFA Champions League semi-final 1st leg thanks 2 a last-minute goal from Wayne Rooney.

Entertaining encounter
Trailing 2-1 at the break, Rooney fired United level on 59 minutes then completed a late counterattack by flashing a low shot past Dida 2 give the English side real hope of a place in the final in Athens. It appeared that Carlo Ancelotti's visitors would return home holding the upper hand when Kaká overturned an early Cristiano Ronaldo header wif two goals before half-time. Though weakened defensively by injuries, United's vibrant attacking instincts were intact, however, and Rooney's double leaves Milan needing victory in next Wednesday's return @ the San Siro.

Ronaldo opener
United went in2 this match missing 3 of their first-choice defenders in Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidić. Yet 4 any team of Sir Alex Ferguson's, offence will always b the best form of defence and so it proved here as they seized an early lead. After Alessandro Nesta had diverted behind a Rooney effort, the ensuing corner brought the breakthrough. From Ryan Giggs's delivery, Ronaldo nodded goalwards and Dida was unable 2 keep the ball out despite two attempts @ a save.

Parity restored
Sir Alex had described his side's quarter-final rout of AS Roma as "once-in-a lifetime" stuff n United started here in similarly electrifying fashion. As the Stretford End chorused "Attack, attack", Ronaldo directed a header at Dida, then, on the quarter-hour, the Milan goalkeeper stretched out his left arm 2 turn behind a volley from Michael Carrick. The Rossoneri were struggling 2 find their range, illustrated by Kaká's fluffing of a free header. Yet the Brazilian quickly made amends. With 22 minutes on the clock, Clarence Seedorf collected a pass from Gennaro Gattuso n fed Kaká who, surging into the box ahead of Carrick, struck a low shot through the legs of Gabriel Heinze, beyond the dive of Edwin van der Sar and into the far corner.

Composed finish
United sought 2 reclaim the initiative, Giggs flicking a header over before rifling in a low cross which Rooney just failed 2 reach. Yet although Dida nearly fumbled a swerving drive from Ronaldo, United were undone @ the other end on 37 minutes as Kaká capitalised on some uncertain defending. From Dida's long kick, the Brazilian shouldered aside Darren Fletcher, then headed 4 goal. He carried the ball past Heinze n as the Argentinian and Patrice Evra collided, tucked it coolly past Van der Sar.

Rooney response
The second period opened with a glaring Carrick miss after Giggs's corner had fallen 2 him @ the far post. Yet Milan soon had United on the back foot again, Kaká threatening a hat-trick with a rising shot over the crossbar after a lovely combination with Seedorf. Reprieved, the home side restored parity through Rooney on 59 minutes. It was a wonderfully-worked goal, the ball moving from Fletcher 2 Carrick 2 Scholes who then lifted it over the Milan back line - by now shorn of the injured Gattuso and Paolo Maldini - and in2 the path of Rooney. Dida got a hand 2 the England striker's shot but could not stop its course 2 the far corner.

Late winner
Faith restored, United chased a third. Dida kept out Fletcher and Ronaldo, but just when it seemed Milan would hang on, Giggs drove 4ward from inside his own half n supplied Rooney, who did the rest. Sir Alex's team, who will b w/o Evra through suspension as they look 2 defend their advantage in Milan, famously came from behind 2 beat Ancelotti's Juventus 3-2 in the 1999 semi-final n this victory will have them believing they can go all the way once more.