United get a Real kick; Bayern edge past Porto

8220;This is my best result since I became coach 8212; and considering the quality of the opposition 8212; it is even more remarkable,8221; said the man who replaced Welshman John Toshack in November.

8220;I would also like to take the opportunity to congratulate Barcelona and Valencia 8212; it8217;s marvellous for Spanish football8221;.

Real, chasing an eighth European title, beat the English giants 3-2 in their quarter-final second-leg but late goals from David Beckham and Paul Scholes gave the scoreline a respectable veneer for United, who were once trailing 0-3.

United8217;s inspirational Irish skipper Roy Keane scored an own goal in the first half before Real8217;s prolific striker Raul scored two delightful breakaway goals just after the interval.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admitted: 8220;Madrid were the better side tonight. That8217;s the nature of the Cup, but at a goal down you need those two goals.

Bayern seemed to be dominating their match with FC Porto and a goal after 15 minutes by their Brazilian striker Paulo Sergio put them ahead.

But Bayern8217;s injury-time hoodoo seemed to have struck again when prolific Brazilian Mario Jardel grabbed a dramatic leveller for Porto and that must have reminded the Germans of last season8217;s final when they led 1-0 into injury time before United scored two late goals in stoppage time.

But unheralded Thomas Linke immediately popped up with a reply for Bayern, giving them a 2-1 win on the night after the 1-1 draw in Porto a fortnight ago.

A relieved Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, who won this competition with Borussia Dortmund in 1997, said: 8220;We8217;ve won, that was the essential thing, but it was hard on the nerves.8221;

8220;We had the advantage of opening the scoring, but then couldn8217;t find a second and that put pressure on ourselves.8221;

Real were full value for their victory in a superb match which, although it did not reach the heights of Barca8217;s breathtaking 5-1 win over Chelsea 24 hours earlier, was still a compelling spectacle.

They made most of the early running against United with their Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos outfoxing Gary Neville only for his centre to be cut out by stand-in goalkeeper Raimond van der Gouw with Fernando Morientes set to pounce.

But after 20 minutes Madrid took the lead. Morientes fed Michel Salgado on the right and the full-back8217;s cross was deflected into his own goal by Keane.

Van der Gouw, in for the injured Australian Mark Bosnich, would probably have gathered the ball safely had Keane not made his run but it was not clear whether the Dutchman had called to his Irish colleague to leave the ball.

That stung United into action and Andy Cole produced a pin point centre to Dwight Yorke who headed straight at Real keeper Iker Casillas. Casillas again came to the rescue for the Meringues after Keane almost redeemed himself with a fine shot but Real had their chances before the break.

First deadball specialist Roberto Carlos failed to hit the target when United conceded a freekick on the edge of the box. Then a Salgado cross took a deflection off Jaap Stam and with Van der Gouw stranded looped just over the bar.

After 50 minutes Real went 2-0 ahead. Englishman Steve McManaman fed Raul, who caught Frenchman Mickael Sylvestre 8212; a half-time substitute 8212; out of position 8212; and curled a precise shot just inside the post.

Old Trafford fell silent and the jubilant Raul touched his lips with his finger, mocking the quietened United fans.

Keane almost pulled one back immediately but fired over after linking up well with Cole. It proved costly.

Two minutes later Raul struck again. Argentinian Fernando Redondo produced some brilliant skill to outfox Henning Berg and squared to an unmarked Raul who tapped home.

Beckham pulled one back for United with a superb goal, shimmying past Roberto Carlos before scoring with a fierce cross-shot. Scholes then netted a penalty to save some United honour.