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Manchester United’s five greatest UEFA Champions League moments

By Tushar Bahl

Manchester United players celebrate the moment they win the penalty shoot-out against Chelsea in the Champions League Final at the Luzhniki Stadium on May 21st 2008 in Moscow, Russia (Photo by Tom Jenkins/Getty Images). An image from the book "In The Moment" published June 2012
Manchester United players celebrate the moment they win the penalty shoot-out against Chelsea in the Champions League Final at the Luzhniki Stadium on May 21st 2008 in Moscow, Russia (Photo by Tom Jenkins/Getty Images). An image from the book "In The Moment" published June 2012 /
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Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrates his winning goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final 2nd leg match between Manchester United and Barcelona at Old Trafford, Manchester, UK. (Photo by ben radford/Corbis via Getty Images)
Paul Scholes of Manchester United celebrates his winning goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final 2nd leg match between Manchester United and Barcelona at Old Trafford, Manchester, UK. (Photo by ben radford/Corbis via Getty Images) /

Paul Scholes stuns Barcelona to send United through to the final

Manchester United 1-0 Barcelona (2007/08)

This game will not be remembered for Manchester United’s attacking excellence, but for their resilience at the back as Sir Alex Ferguson’s men put on a defensive masterclass to prevent the mighty Barcelona from finding the back of the net.

Following a 0-0 draw at the Camp Nou, the Lionel Messi led Barcelona came into the second leg of the semi final as the favorites to go through, but they were met by a disciplined United side that put on a heroic shift to keep a priceless clean sheet.

Paul Scholes scored a stunning strike from 25 yards out gave Manchester United a surprise lead after 14 minutes and that proved to be enough to send the Red Devils into the Champions League final. It was a remarkable goal in one of the most high pressure situations and it will forever be remembered fondly by the Old Trafford faithful.

The game will also be remembered for the absolutely mesmerising atmosphere at Old Trafford. Barcelona came to the stadium, aiming to kick start an era of dominance, but United made sure that they went back empty handed. Of course, United would go on to suffer defeats in Champions League finals to Barcelona in 2009 and 2011, but on this occasion, United’s fighting spirit saw them go through.

Manchester United went on to lift the UEFA Champions League, beating Chelsea in the final on penalties. But all that would not have been possible, had it not been for one of Manchester United’s best defensive performances in their history.

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