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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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Manchester United team celebrate the trophy after beating Chelsea in the final of the UEFA Champions League football match at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow on May 21, 2008. The match remained at a 1-1 draw and Manchester won on penalties after extra time. AFP PHOTO / Adrian Dennis (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
Manchester United team celebrate the trophy after beating Chelsea in the final of the UEFA Champions League football match at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow on May 21, 2008. The match remained at a 1-1 draw and Manchester won on penalties after extra time. AFP PHOTO / Adrian Dennis (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) /

Manchester United triumph on that rainy night in Moscow

Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea, Man Utd win 6-5 on penalties (2007/08)

Two big rivals, great goals, drama, missed chances, a red card, a penalty shootout and rain pouring down; the 2008 UEFA Champions League final had it all. And for Manchester United, it was one of the greatest nights of the club’s modern history. Not only did they win the UEFA Champions League, they beat their greatest rivals Chelsea in the final.

It was one of the most dramatic finals in Champions League history and one that no Manchester United fan will ever forget.

Cristiano Ronaldo gave United the lead midway through the first half, before Frank Lampard equalised for Chelsea. Lampard and Drogba came close to scoring, but the woodwork denied them. United also came close several times, but Petr Cech was in the form of his life.

The match went to extra time, where both teams came close again. Chelsea were denied by the woodwork, while John Terry’s goal line clearance prevented Ryan Giggs from scoring. And then with just four minutes to go till the end of extra time, Didier Drogba had a moment of madness and slapped Nemanja Vidic. He was given a straight red card and the match went into penalties.

Cristiano Ronaldo surprisingly made a hash of his effort and had his penalty saved, giving John Terry a chance to win it for Chelsea. But the Chelsea captain slipped and United were given a lifeline. Three successful penalties later, Nicholas Anelka had his penalty saved by Edwin van der Sar and Manchester United won their third Champions League crown.

On any other day, Chelsea could have been crowned the kings of Europe. But it was United’s night and the Red Devils brought the famous trophy back to Old Trafford, 50 years after the tragic Munich disaster.

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