Milan 2 Man United 3

Beckham starts in this poignant clash between the reds of Manchester and the reds of Milan, and shows class from the start. After just three minutes it was a Beckham free-kick that fell to Ronaldinho after Evra cleared wildly. The Brazilian flashed it past Van De Saar for the first goal of the match. Chances continued to come thick and fast for Milan and Man United looked like they were in for a torrid time.
But Manchester United are not a team to give up easily and it was 10 minutes from half time when Fletcher crossed into the box for Scholes to swing at with his right foot - he mis-kicked and the ball span off his left shin beyond Dida and into the Milan goal. The tempo was set and both teams fought for dominance, a fight in which Milan were marginally ahead - yet the score remained 1-1 up to half time.
The game continued with entertaining football form both teams, Rooney leading the attack for Man United, Ronaldinho full of tricks for Milan. It was Rooney who made the impact on 65 mins, rising in the box to place his looping header over a stranded Dida to go 2-1 up in the tie. Five minutes later Beckham left the field to be replaced by Clarence Seedorf. Just four minutes later Rooney again stole behind the static Milan defence to head a simple chip from Fletcher over a rooted Dida, 3-1 to Man United. Seedorf justified his presence by scoring in the last five minutes with a back-heel finish in the box to give a thrilling finale to the game. Inzaghi who had also only been on the pitch a short while almost made it a draw just seconds later, but shot over the bar. Milan continue to push for the equaliser making a real game of it as the seconds tick away. Michael Carrick was sent off in added time for a second bookable offence, although he committed no foul. The final whistle went, embraces were exchanged and we look forward with keen anticipation to the return leg at Old Trafford.