United back among elite
Print Edition
MANCHESTER United will take its usual place at the top table of European soccer in the Champions League quarterfinals draw today but like an impoverished lord at a society dinner, it will hope no-one notices its moth-eaten garments.
United will be among familiar faces when it goes into the pot with defending champion Bayern Munich and the rest of Europe’s elite in the shape of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and Paris St Germain.
But unlike other seasons in the past two decades when it has swaggered in with all the confidence of either a champion or a strong favorite, this season it is simply relieved to be just a part of the proceedings.
And of course, the other guests know all too well that United is turning up as a team in transition with new manager David Moyes enduring a tough baptism after following the retired Alex Ferguson into the job.
Wednesday’s spirited 3-0 round of 16 second-leg victory over Olympiakos gave United a 3-2 aggregate win over the Greek champion and a place in the last eight for the first time since 2011, which was also the last time it reached the final.
The win, thanks to a first Champions League hat-trick from Dutchman Robin van Persie, relieved some of the pressure that has been building on Moyes.
He has come under increasing criticism from pundits and fans alike following a series of poor results which has left United seventh in the English Premier League table, a distant 18 points behind leader Chelsea.
Dortmund, meanwhile, edged out Zenit St Petersburg to complete the quarterfinal lineup.
Last season’s runner-up Dortmund lost the second leg 1-2 but went through 5-4 on aggregate.
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