The Dutchman was the star of the show to ease the pressure on under-fire manager David Moyes as the Red Devils fought back from a two-goal first-leg deficit to go through
Robin van Persie Manchester United Olympiakos Champions League 03192014Robin van Persie salvaged Manchester United's Champions League dream as
his hat-trick beat Olympiakos 3-0 and booked a last-eight spot.
The hosts had trailed 2-0 heading into the second leg, with manager
David Moyes under huge pressure to produce a result, but the Scot
avoided a Greek tragedy with the help of his prolific Dutch
frontman.
VIEW FROM OLD
TRAFFORD
By
Jonathan Birchall
Manchester United's season lives on. On a night when failure simply
was not an option for David Moyes and his side, the Premier League
champions did enough, just, to secure their passage into the last
eight of Europe's premier competition.
Robin van Persie's stunning hat-trick was a fitting way to win a
tie that brought the very best out of Old Trafford, with the
Stretford End at its loudest for a very long time. For the first
time in what feels like a very, very long time, there are smiles
again at the Theatre of Dreams. Penalties have become a familiar sight at Old Trafford in recent
days - United conceded three in the weekend Premier League mauling
by Liverpool - and Van Persie put the hosts ahead from 12 yards
when one went their way in the 25th minute after a foul by Jose
Holebas.
The Netherlands striker doubled his tally on the stroke of
half-time to level the tie on aggregate, before curling home a
free-kick seven minutes into the second period to seal the win and
a famous comeback.
The result takes United into the last eight for the first time
since 2011, while Olympiakos have now lost on all 12 of their
visits to England, conceding an average of three goals.
Moyes made four changes from Sunday's 3-0 Premier League defeat at
home to fierce rivals Liverpool, bringing Rio Ferdinand and Ryan
Giggs into an experienced starting XI, and it was United who did
the early pressing.
Wayne Rooney was first to challenge visiting goalkeeper Roberto,
with the Spanish shot-stopper electing to extravagantly punch clear
from a free-kick, but United's Herculean task almost became even
greater 15 minutes in, when Hernan Perez scooped the ball over
after good work by Joel Campbell to set up the opportunity.
Robin van Persie Manchester United Olympiakos Champions League 03192014Robin van Persie salvaged Manchester United's Champions League dream as
his hat-trick beat Olympiakos 3-0 and booked a last-eight spot.
The hosts had trailed 2-0 heading into the second leg, with manager
David Moyes under huge pressure to produce a result, but the Scot
avoided a Greek tragedy with the help of his prolific Dutch
frontman.
VIEW FROM OLD
TRAFFORD
By
Jonathan Birchall
Manchester United's season lives on. On a night when failure simply
was not an option for David Moyes and his side, the Premier League
champions did enough, just, to secure their passage into the last
eight of Europe's premier competition.
Robin van Persie's stunning hat-trick was a fitting way to win a
tie that brought the very best out of Old Trafford, with the
Stretford End at its loudest for a very long time. For the first
time in what feels like a very, very long time, there are smiles
again at the Theatre of Dreams. Penalties have become a familiar sight at Old Trafford in recent
days - United conceded three in the weekend Premier League mauling
by Liverpool - and Van Persie put the hosts ahead from 12 yards
when one went their way in the 25th minute after a foul by Jose
Holebas.
The Netherlands striker doubled his tally on the stroke of
half-time to level the tie on aggregate, before curling home a
free-kick seven minutes into the second period to seal the win and
a famous comeback.
The result takes United into the last eight for the first time
since 2011, while Olympiakos have now lost on all 12 of their
visits to England, conceding an average of three goals.
Moyes made four changes from Sunday's 3-0 Premier League defeat at
home to fierce rivals Liverpool, bringing Rio Ferdinand and Ryan
Giggs into an experienced starting XI, and it was United who did
the early pressing.
Wayne Rooney was first to challenge visiting goalkeeper Roberto,
with the Spanish shot-stopper electing to extravagantly punch clear
from a free-kick, but United's Herculean task almost became even
greater 15 minutes in, when Hernan Perez scooped the ball over
after good work by Joel Campbell to set up the opportunity.
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