United held to surprise draw by Aalborg
Rooney got United's equaliser in the second half
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Wednesday, 10, Dec 2008 10:48
Manchester United have finished top of their Champions League group despite being held to a surprise 2-2 draw by Aalborg at Old Trafford.
United dominated the majority of the match but a purple patch for the visitors just before half time was enough to get them a draw.
Wayne Rooney was the man who earned Alex Ferguson's side the point, firing home their second goal at the start of the second half.
United were threatening to run rampant against their Danish opponents straight from the kick-off and it was no surprise when they took the lead after five minutes.
A looping ball found Rooney on the edge of the area, his knock down fell into the path of Ryan Giggs who played a ball between the two Aalborg centre-backs and Carlos Tevez stabbed it home.
Moments later it was nearly 2-0 as Rooney swivelled in the box a played in Tevez but he could not find the target.
Despite United's dominance in the opening 30 minutes Aalborg managed to equalise during a rare foray into opposition territory.
Martin Pederson lofted a tantalising free-kick into the box where Michael Jakobsen got a faint touch to guide it past Thomas Kuszczak and inside the far post.
A further shock was still to come as United found themselves trailing going into the break. Anders Due escaped down the left flank and his cross was met by Jeppe Curth at the far post and he headed past Kuszczak to give the visitors a 2-1 lead.
Having looked like they would cruise through the match in the opening period of the match United were stung into action by Aalborg's late first-half salvo.
Tevez had United's first chance after the break but headed Nani cross wide of goal.
But the home side were soon back on level terms, Anderson fed Rooney as the rigid Danish defence was breached once more with a simple ball and the England striker finished with aplomb.
Just after the hour-mark Rooney almost gave United the lead again but was unlucky to see his free-kick get deflected onto the bar.
Tevez had a final chance to snatch the win late in the game after Rooney had released him but the Argentinean's shot could only find the side netting.
Despite the draw United finished top of group E due to Villarreal's 2-0 defeat to Celtic at Parkhead.