Floodlit robbery

The England striker,who has scored 33 goals to underpin Uniteds season,was largely a peripheral figure as United scored three goals in the opening 41 minutes against a Bayern side that had completely fluffed their lines amid the tumultuous din of Old Trafford.

He had a hand in Darron Gibsons opener after three minutes but after that it was Antonio Valencia and Nani who tore Bayern to shreds,the latter scoring twice to send United seemingly towards a fourth consecutive semi-final in the competition.

Piling pains

That was as good as it got,however,for United,who conceded twice to crash out on the away goals rule the second,winger Robbens killer blow,coming after Rooney had trudged off after 55 minutes with more damage to his ankle and Brazilian fullback Rafael had been sent off.

I was confident we could score the goal in the second half, Bayerns Dutch coach Louis van Gaal said. It was incredible to come back from three goals down. The goal from Robben was unbelievable.

Seven turbulent minutes was all it took for a rampant United to turn a 2-1 first leg deficit into a 3-2 aggregate advantage at the Theatre of Dreams. Rooneys most telling touch of the night sent Darron Gibson through to strike United in front after three minutes and Nanis deft back heel from Valencias cross made it 2-0 as Bayern buckled in an electrifying atmosphere.

The visitors looked dead and buried when Nani struck again after 41 minutes with a shot into the top corner but Croatian Ivica Olic,scorer of the late winner in Munich,grabbed one back two minutes later from a narrow angle to give his side hope.

Five minutes into the second half,Rafaels inexperience resulted in a second yellow card the turning point,rather than Rooneys withdrawal soon afterwards. Robben,who used to terrorise defences in the Premier League in Chelsea colours,was unshackled in the second half,wreaking havoc down the right as United went slowly backwards.

When a corner from Ribery was lofted towards him after 74 minutes,time seemed to stand still before one swing of his left boot sent the ball hurtling past Edwin van der Sar.

Bayern will next face Lyon,who lost 1-0 at Bordeaux in but advanced on 3-2 aggregate to reach their first Champions League semi-final. Reuters

Rooney injures ankle again

Rooney,meanwhile,re-injured his right ankle against Bayern Munich,a week after being hurt in the first leg. Manager Alex Ferguson gambled on Rooneys fitness despite initially being ruled for up to three weeks,and the England international is in doubt for Sundays Premier League match against Blackburn.

I dont think he will be in contention on Sunday against Blackburn, Ferguson said. But he should be available the week after against Manchester City.

Without Rooney,who has scored 34 goals this season,United lost 2-1 to Chelsea and were overtaken by their opponents at the top of the Premier League.