By Roger O'Brien
March 20 2014

Manchester United overturned a two goal first leg deficit and defeated the Greek side Olympiakos at a highly charged Old Trafford on Wednesday evening. It was the result needed by everyone connected with the club and eased the pressure on manager David Moyes.

Robin van Persie scored a hat-trick - the first from a penalty, as United progressed into the last eight of the Champions League. 

After the lacklustre performance in the previous home match against Liverpool, United were enthusiatic and enegetic in a match they knew they had to win by three goals to progress.

Wayne Rooney had a superb game covering virtually every blade of grass on the Old Trafford pitch. David de Gea kept United in the tournament with a number of fine saves as the Greek side continually put pressure on the Premier League champions goal.

Relief all around at the final whistle and the season is well and truly alive!

The triple goalscorer van Persie was stretchered off late in the game, howver early indications are that the injury is not too serious.

United now join Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in the pot for the draw on Friday.