With not so much a battle as a mild swat, Manchester United contemptuously dismissed in their all-British encounter against Celtic with a 3-0 win at Old Trafford.
Two suspiciously offside-looking goals from Dimitar Berbatov - taking his Champions League tally to four - and a customary strike from Wayne Rooney, who now has nine in seven games for club and country were enough for killing Celtic as did not even make a fight of it.
The first goal came from a corner that Nani floated to the near post. At the second attempt, John O'Shea forced it on, and Berbatov, with his back to goal, flicked it past Artur Boruc. Just six minutes into the second half, Berbatov tapped home his second, profiting from a blistering Ronaldo free-kick that Boruc could not hold. Yet again, it seemed Berbatov was offside, but i feel it was compensated as the ref's assistant had earlier missed out on Rooney's goal when the England man raced onto Ronaldo's through ball and beat Boruc.
Berbatov was substituted by Carlos Tevez as he received a standing ovation, indicating that the fans love him. In his more rampaging moods, Rooney looks as though he could knock down a few walls and after another near miss, stroked home a deserved goal 15 minutes from time. It took his personal tally to nine in seven games and left Celtic facing a tough fight to claim a UEFA Cup berth as United continued their relentless march towards becoming the first side to retain this competition.
Not even the return of Cristiano Ronaldo could prevent Manchester United from a disappointing 0-0 draw against Villarreal at Old Trafford. Ronaldo's second-half introduction certainly sent a surge through United, with fans giving him a warm welcome. But unfortunately, that was not enough for the European champions as their unbeaten 12 game streak on home soil in the competition came to an end.
