Match Rewind: European Knockouts

We're asking you to select one of four games you want to see in full, and for free, with the winning choice being streamed on both the ManUtd.com homepage and also through our Official App.

 

Our theme this time is 'European Knockouts', with a quartet of Champions League game options on offer from our golden period under Sir Alex Ferguson.

 

Before you cast what could be the decisive vote, here’s more detail about the matches in question…

 

One of the first truly great European nights under Alex Ferguson saw the Reds tearing into highly fancied Porto, and earning a first-leg advantage that would help us comfortably reach a first European Cup/Champions League semi-final since 1969. An unlikely scorer, David May, kicked things off in the 22nd minute, before strikes from Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs and Andy Cole steadily raised the volume inside a pulsating Old Trafford. The second leg saw us play out a professional goalless draw in Portugal, but the first had been so thrilling – for United fans, at least – that no-one was complaining.

 

Brazilian superstar Ronaldo might not have been fit for this quarter-final in the Treble season, but Inter were still daunting opposition, with Roberto Baggio, Diego Simeone, Youri Djorkaeff and Ivan Zamorano involved. The reunion of Simeone and David Beckham – after the latter's red card in the England v Argentina World Cup tie the previous summer – drew most of the headlines, but it was Beckham who emerged on top. His superlative crosses provided two crucial headed goals for Dwight Yorke and, when Inter tried to hit back in the second half, Peter Schmeichel then stepped up, providing one of his most memorable saves ever to deny Zamorano a precious away goal.

 

Hard as it is to believe now, back in the spring of 2008 there were some commentators who still doubted Cristiano Ronaldo's ability to make the difference on big European nights. But after this contest at the Stadio Olimpico, they weren't anywhere near as audible as before. The Portuguese superstar scored one of his most magnificent goals to open our account in the tie – a hang-time header that finished off Paul Scholes's inviting cross with brutal, ruthless economy. Wayne Rooney added a second to complete one of the most assured European away wins of the entire Ferguson era.

 

The Reds were chasing a third Champions League final in four years when the draw for the quarter-finals pitted us against Chelsea – the club we beat in the 2008 final to claim our third European Cup. Wayne Rooney's goal in the first leg at Stamford Bridge gave us a narrow advantage to cling on to, but more would be needed at Old Trafford. A first-half tap-in from Javier Hernandez doubled our lead, but Chelsea struck back through Didier Drogba with just over 10 minutes to go. Another away goal would have seen Chelsea through, but a nerveless, left-footed half volley from Ji-sung Park eased tensions at Old Trafford, and sent United through to a semi-final with German side Schalke.

 

You can select the game you wish to see featured in this week’s ‘Match Rewind’ by casting your vote in the poll in our Official App.

 

Voting closes at 16:00 BST on Friday 25 June, when we’ll stream the winner in full and for free on the web and app.