Manchester United - Porto 2004

As Manchester United and Porto prepare to go head-to-head in the Champions League quarter-finals we look back to their classic encounter of 2004 when the English champions took on a Porto side led by Jose Mourinho. First Blood Porto Manchester United booked their place in the knockout stages without really impressing in qualifying despite finding themselves in a relatively straightforward group consisting of Panathinaikos, Rangers and VfB Stuttgart. Porto, meanwhile, finished runners-up to Real Madrid in their group after seeing off the challenge of both Marseille and Partisan Belgrade. As group winners United appeared to have the advantage in the draw, with the first leg being held in the Estadio Do Dragao, however it was not to turn out that way. Despite being clear favourites to win the game, the Red Devils returned home with a 2-1 defeat, a sending off for Roy Keane and only an away goal from Quinton Fortune for comfort. The South African put the Premier League side ahead in the game and minutes later United almost made the tie safe through Ruud van Nistelrooy, but uncharacteristically the Dutchman missed a clear chance to all but seal the fixture. That miss was to prove crucial as Porto roared back into the game and equalised with a fine volley by Benni McCarthy. The striker then doubled his tally, heading a Nuno Valente cross past Tim Howard to hand Mourinho’s side the advantage going into the second leg. United, by contrast, were struggling on several counts and their cause was further hindered by the sending off of Roy Keane for a stamp on Vitor Baia after Porto had scored their second goal. The fiery Irishman would be sorely missed in the second leg but so would a certain David Beckham, whom United had missed following his departure to Real Madrid the previous summer. Late Drama United welcomed Porto to Old Trafford for the return leg knowing they had to score to remain in the competition, but also that a narrow 1-0 win would be enough to progress to the quarter-finals. It started so well for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men, who went ahead after half an hour when Paul Scholes headed home a John O’Shea cross at the near post to hand United the lead they so desired. Yet that was the high point on a night that was to go from bad to worse for the English side. Scholes looked to have scored his second of the night just before the break when the midfielder managed to net following a miscued effort by O’Shea. Yet crucially the goal was, incorrectly, disallowed for offside, a decision that was to prove pivotal and left Ferguson enraged. As the match entered its final minutes United were still leading 1-0, and thus certain to qualify courtesy of the away goals rule when Porto struck. A McCarthy free-kick, which United were furious had been awarded in the first place, was only parried by goalkeeper Tim Howard which allowed Costinha to bundle home. That goal was enough to send Porto through, United out and prompted Mourinho to sprint down the Old Trafford touchline and into folklore. The Fallout The failure of United to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in eight seasons was roundly condemned as a failure by the British media. Sir Alex’s men finished the season third in the Premier League although they were not to finish the season empty-handed as they went on to claim the FA Cup, beating Millwall 3-0 in the final. Yet for Porto this was just the beginning of the fairytale. Their win at Old Trafford was followed by victories against Lyon and then Deportivo La Coruna as they went all the way to the final. Once there, they proceeded to take Monaco apart, winning 3-0 in Germany, to secure a second European title and for Mourinho the chance to manage Chelsea.