Despite controlling possession throughout the whole game, Manchester United could only beat Arsenal 1-0 in the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg. At Old Trafford, the Red Devils created a host of chances, but Manuel Almunia's heroics, as well as resilient defence from the visitors ended the tie with the one goal margin. Irish defender John O'Shea scored the only goal of the game on 18 minutes. United manager Alex Ferguson left Premiership PFA Player of the Year Ryan Giggs on the bench, opting to start with Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo behind Wayne Rooney. Despite some injury doubts, Mikael Silvestre made it to the Arsenal defence alongside Kolo Toure, Kieran Gibbs and Bakary Sagna. United Superiority The hosts hit Arsenal as early as the second minute, and Almunia's finger tipped Rooney's header after the England man beat Sagna to Darren Fletcher's cross. In the 17th minute, a lovely United move started by Ronaldo and Tevez ended with O'Shea squaring to the Argentine, whose shot was brilliantly saved by Almunia. The resulting corner found its way towards Michael Carrick. The Arsenal defence failed to clear the ex-Spurs man's ball and O'Shea capitalized by hitting the back of the net. The Gunners had one shy effort in the first-half. Cesc Fabregas hit a low shot that was easily collected by Edwin Van der Saar.
Arsenal struggled against United's attacks Similar Scenario The second-half started from where the first ended. Arsenal looked totally trapped around their area as they where overwhelmed by United's constant threat. Lone striker Emmanuel Adebayor was totally isolated from the rest of the team, and the Arsenal midfield were too slow to hit United on the break. Adebayor gave United a little scare on 64 minutes when he volleyed a half-chance over from outside the box. Ronaldo replied five minutes later by rattling Almunia's bar with a staggering shot from 25 yards out. Ferguson wanted a second and the Scot brought on Giggs and Dimitar Berbatov for Tevez and Anderson. Giggs, Ronaldo and Rooney all played behind Berba up front. Rooney danced his way through the Arsenal defence before his low cross was scrapped away by the struggling Gunners. Carrick collected the loose ball and shot just wide. One way or another, Arsenal were lucky to stand their ground and enter next week's second leg with a one goal deficit. Watch the game's goal Link:
