Man United 2, Porto 2: United have it all to do

MANCHESTER United must achieve what no other British team has done - win in Porto - if they are to keep alive their hopes of successfully defending their Champions League crown.

If the Reds thought they were going to have a straightforward passage to the final in Rome, they had a rude awakening last night at Old Trafford where in recent times they rarely have been so comprehensively outplayed.

Porto might not be one of Europe’s big-name glamour clubs, but they proved they are not out of place at at the top table and can count themselves unlucky not to have won.

Sir Alex Ferguson admitted his side has it all to do in next week’s return, saying: “It will be a difficult job. The late goal we conceded was one we couldn’t afford to lose. When you are 2–1 ahead with four or five minutes left you have to see out the game.”

Ferguson had no complaints about the result as Porto, who knocked his team out in 2004 en route to their triumph in the competition under Jose Mourinho, showed why they finished ahead of Arsenal in their group and defeated top Spanish side Atletico Madrid in the first knockout round.

“I think a draw was a fair result as they were the better side in the opening half,” he explained.

The return of Nemanja Vidic, Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney strengthened the side following Sunday’s dramatic victory against Aston Villa.

But it was clear from the start that Porto were going to adopt an adventurous approach, with Edwin van der Sar quickly called into action to turn over a fierce shot from Lisandra.

And it was no surprise when Porto stole ahead in the fourth minute with a goal which followed a comedy of errors.

Cristiano Ronaldo carelessly gave away possession and Jonny Evans compounded the problem with a terrible clearance. United’s failure to close down midfield man Cristian Rodrigues left him time to advance and slide home his shot.

The goal failed to ignite the Reds as Porto had four decent attempts at in an alarming opening 13 minutes.

Yet United were gifted an unexpected route back into the game after quarter of an hour when Wayne Rooney latched on to a suicidal back pass from Bruno Alves.

The second half failed to bring a significant improvement in United’s fortunes, through Rooney and Vidic forced Brazilian keeper Helton to make a couple of super saves.

But van der Sar also had to be at his best to deny Lisandra and Aly Cissokho while Brazilian forward Hulk was unlucky not to win a penalty after a rash challenge from substitute Carlos Tevez.

It looked as though United had snatched victory in the 85th minute when Tevez firied home at the near post after Rooney produced a delightful flick to Gary Neville’s long throw.

It would have been a travesty had Porto lost and they fully deserved their 89th minute equaliser when substitute Mariano was left unmarked to loft the ball over van der Sar from six yards.