Manchester United thumps AC Milan 4-0

Manchester United had no trouble advancing to the quarterfinals of the Champions League as they thumped AC Milan at Old Trafford on Wednesday.  United held a 2-1 lead after winning the opening leg in Italy so AC Milan new they had work to do coming to England.  After a near miss from the healthy Wayne Rooney, Ronaldinho almost put AC Milan ahead as he flashed a header just wide of the net.  Minutes later Rooney would not miss his header as he drilled a perfect cross from Gary Neville into the Milan net.  The goal gave Manchester United the breathing room they were hoping for and they clearly took their foot off the pedal the rest of the opening half.

Veterans Paul Scholes and Neville ran the midfield as they made up for in smarts what they have lost in athleticism.  The game drifted to halftime with United holding the lead.  The second half would be all Manchester as they put an exclamation point on the match.  It took only a minute for Wayne Rooney to strike again and the thumping was on.  Champions League specialist Ji-Sung Park would make it 3-0 on the hour and Darren Fletcher grabbed the fourth just minutes form the end as Manchester United cruised.

It was another poor showing fr0m a Serie A side as AC Milan limp back to Italy with David Beckham who never really made an impact after coming off the bench.  It leaves only Inter Milan left in the competition holding a slim 2-1 advantage over Chelsea, but having to play the 2nd leg in London next week where they have never had any success.