Manchester Uniteds late show has Thorsten the nearly man again
Dimitar Berbatov rues a late chance which went begging as Thorsten Fink Twelve years. Thats how long Thorsten Fink has waited for revenge. Sweet, sweet revenge.
But just like in 1999, the German became the victim of another late, late show from United.
For Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the Nou Camp all those years ago read Ashley Young in 2011.
The England wingers 90th minute goal saved Sir Alex Fergusons blushes and left Fink cursing his luck once more.
Fink entered the pitch on a barmy evening in 99, expecting to be part of a victory parade. Instead he watched on, helpless, as that infamous Champions League final was turned on its head, history made, defeat snatched from the jaws of victory.
Sheringham and Solskjaer became Old Trafford legends that night.
An unprecedented treble secured a knighthood for Sir Alex Ferguson too.
History remembers the winners and Fink became just one of the forgotten men for Bayern.
Not that United didnt do their best to open some old wounds last night.
Whether it be Ferguson reminding him of an unforgettable finale in his programme notes, or Ryan Giggs cutting through his Basle side just as he did to Bayern.
And when Danny Welbeck put United 2-0 up after 17 minutes, never in his wildest dreams could Fink have imagined repaying Fergie for the most painful night of his career.
And in the cold light of day, the Basle coach will still look upon this result as one of the finest of his young managerial career.
On another night, even Youngs strike wouldnt have been enough to salvage a point for United on a night when they were served a real reality check.
Had Fabian and Alex Frei showed more composure in the first half, the Premier Leagu! e leader s would never have headed into the interval in such a dominant position.
That pair were not nearly so generous in the second half, arousing a slumbering Old Trafford, who expected to watch their side go through the motions to pick up their first win in Europe this season.
Not even Welbecks double had been enough to create one of those classic European atmospheres. But when Young arrived at the far post to nod home Nanis cross, the stadium erupted.
Ferguson can definitely look at this as a close shave.
He tinkered with his side to get a draw at Benfica in the opening game in Group C. And squandering two points at home should be the wake-up call his side needs.
Ferguson is desperate to rise to the challenge of Pep Guardiolas brilliant Barcelona, but he will have been alarmed at the ease with which the Swiss champions took his team apart time and again.
That five of the side that started last night were not part of the XI that took to the pitch for Mays Champions League final is testament to the evolution that has taken place since that chastening defeat.
It has taken the Premier League by storm, with only Stoke so far capable of halting their charge on the domestic front.
But it is Europe that is Fergusons obsession and a third Champions League trophy before he retires.
That will be a significantly tougher nut to crack.
He deserves credit for filling his side with exhilarating youth but what price the experience of closing out such games when so in control?
For Phil Jones and Fabio, it was brutal exposure to the exacting standards of Europes Premier competition.
They werent the only two in the United side that were guilty of such carelessness.
It left Fink on the brink of giving Ferguson a taste of his own medicine.
But it was Ferguson who had the last laugh even if he wasnt partying like its 1999.
What do you think? Have your sa! y.
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But just like in 1999, the German became the victim of another late, late show from United.
For Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the Nou Camp all those years ago read Ashley Young in 2011.
The England wingers 90th minute goal saved Sir Alex Fergusons blushes and left Fink cursing his luck once more.
Fink entered the pitch on a barmy evening in 99, expecting to be part of a victory parade. Instead he watched on, helpless, as that infamous Champions League final was turned on its head, history made, defeat snatched from the jaws of victory.
Sheringham and Solskjaer became Old Trafford legends that night.
An unprecedented treble secured a knighthood for Sir Alex Ferguson too.
History remembers the winners and Fink became just one of the forgotten men for Bayern.
Not that United didnt do their best to open some old wounds last night.
Whether it be Ferguson reminding him of an unforgettable finale in his programme notes, or Ryan Giggs cutting through his Basle side just as he did to Bayern.
And when Danny Welbeck put United 2-0 up after 17 minutes, never in his wildest dreams could Fink have imagined repaying Fergie for the most painful night of his career.
And in the cold light of day, the Basle coach will still look upon this result as one of the finest of his young managerial career.
On another night, even Youngs strike wouldnt have been enough to salvage a point for United on a night when they were served a real reality check.
Had Fabian and Alex Frei showed more composure in the first half, the Premier Leagu! e leader s would never have headed into the interval in such a dominant position.
That pair were not nearly so generous in the second half, arousing a slumbering Old Trafford, who expected to watch their side go through the motions to pick up their first win in Europe this season.
Not even Welbecks double had been enough to create one of those classic European atmospheres. But when Young arrived at the far post to nod home Nanis cross, the stadium erupted.
Ferguson can definitely look at this as a close shave.
He tinkered with his side to get a draw at Benfica in the opening game in Group C. And squandering two points at home should be the wake-up call his side needs.
Ferguson is desperate to rise to the challenge of Pep Guardiolas brilliant Barcelona, but he will have been alarmed at the ease with which the Swiss champions took his team apart time and again.
That five of the side that started last night were not part of the XI that took to the pitch for Mays Champions League final is testament to the evolution that has taken place since that chastening defeat.
It has taken the Premier League by storm, with only Stoke so far capable of halting their charge on the domestic front.
But it is Europe that is Fergusons obsession and a third Champions League trophy before he retires.
That will be a significantly tougher nut to crack.
He deserves credit for filling his side with exhilarating youth but what price the experience of closing out such games when so in control?
For Phil Jones and Fabio, it was brutal exposure to the exacting standards of Europes Premier competition.
They werent the only two in the United side that were guilty of such carelessness.
It left Fink on the brink of giving Ferguson a taste of his own medicine.
But it was Ferguson who had the last laugh even if he wasnt partying like its 1999.
What do you think? Have your sa! y.
Tweet
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