South African international Quinton Fortune gave the visitors the lead, netting home the rebound from a Paul Scholes early-on in the game, but his fellow countryman Benedict McCarthy turned the game around with a goal in each half, as United's defensive frailties were once again visible.

The Red Devils ended the game with only 10-men with skipper Roy Keane sent to the stands for a stamp on Porto 'keeper Victor Baia only three minutes from time. It was probably harsh judgement from the referee and the linesman to send off Keane, but there was contact if not intent and the Irishman will now miss the second leg, and both legs of the Quarter-finals should United get there.

Injuries and suspensions forced Sir Alex Ferguson into naming a makeshift defence, with Gary Neville partnering off-form Wes Brown at the heart of the United defence. Quinton Fortune and Phillip Neville completed the back-four, with John O'Shea dropped to the bench, a decision that was probably a wrong one looking back at the game.

Porto looked the better side in the early exchanges, passing there way through United and the Portuguese outfit showed plenty of creativity which explains why they are still unbeaten in their national league so far this season. However, United snatched the opening goal after 12 minutes through Fortune. The left-back was quick to react to a fumble from Vitor Baia's fumble after Paul Scholes' free-kick, and tucked the ball away sending United's travelling contingent into delight.

United couldn't build on the goal and Porto attacked in numbers, with United's defence looking continuingly shaky. Dmitri Alenichev and Ricardo Carvalho both went very close for the hosts before the equaliser came through McCarthy. Their remorseless assault on the United defence paid off as McCarthy swivelled to volley an excellent leveller from a Alenichev cross.

The confidence of United had clearly taken a knock and Porto always looked likely to take the lead. Alenichev, Carlos Alberto and Deco all had opportunities after the break, and the distribution and slick passing from the Uefa Cup holders had our defence worried throughout.

Chances were few and far between for United, with strike force Ruud van Nistelrooy and Louis Saha being provided with little due to the dominance of possession from the home side. Saha was playing his first European Cup game in the proper stages of the competitions, but didn't see much of the ball as the United midfield struggled to present opportunities for the strike duo.

Irish international John O'Shea was introduced to the fold by Sir Alex Ferguson in an attempt to steady the ship, and Ronaldo was introduced minutes later to bring on some fresh legs and a new attacking option, but the inevitable second goal was only moments away for FC Porto.

McCarthy made a mockery of the centre-back pairing of Neville and Brown to give the hosts the lead and the advantage at the half-way mark of the two legged tie. The dangerous forward performed a phenomenal leap to meet Nuno Valente's cross, with his header leaving American 'keeper Tim Howard with no chance. It was no more than Porto had deserved, with United never clamping any authority on the game.

Keane's dismissal in the 87th minute made a bad evening even worse, but United can count themselves lucky that they are still in this tie. We will probably be favourites to go through, particularly with an away-goal, and Porto really should have taken advantage of our lacklustre approach with a more goals. It will take an improved performance for United to book a place in the last eight of the Cup, and it will have to be done without influential skipper Keane.

Full Time - FC Porto 2-1 Manchester United

FC Porto: Vitor Baia, Paulo Ferreira, Jorge Costa, Ricardo Carvalho, Nuno Valente, Pedro Mendes, Maniche, Deco, Alenitchev (Jankauskas 63), Carlos Alberto (Ricardo Fernandes 75), McCarthy (Bruno Moraes 83).
Subs Not Used: Nuno, Pedro Emanuel, Ricardo Costa, Bosingwa.

Manchester United: Howard, Phil Neville (O'Shea 70), Gary Neville, Brown, Fortune, Keane, Butt, Scholes, Saha (Ronaldo 76), Giggs, van Nistelrooy.
Subs Not Used: Carroll, Bellion, Kleberson, Djemba-Djemba, Forlan.

Contact the Author