Like most highly anticipated Champions League games, this was a game that was played in and around the middle of the field. 25 yard line to 25 yard line. Both teams were lacking that final ball, the killer ball that would put someone in on a breakaway. A “Xavi” style ball.

No Scholes, no Giggs, no Neville and No Rooney. It was a newer generation to take on Valencia, and maybe that’s what it took to beat those statistics, United had only won once in 18 matches against Spanish opposition, on Spainsh soil.

United would play with Berbatov as the lone striker, with Nani and Park on the wings. while Anderson joined Carrick and Fletcher in the middle. United had, what I feel, is the strongest back line with Van der Sar in goal, Ferdinand and Vidic in the middle, they just compliment each other so well. With Evra and Rafael at left and right back, Evra is arguably the best left back in the world, and Rafael will be one of the best right backs, both provide another option going forward.

While Macheda, Hernandez, Owen, Smalling, O’Shea, Gibson, and Kuszczak waited patiently.

Both teams went into the match with plenty of respect for each other. Much of the first 10 minutes were played in the middle of the field.

It wasn’t until the 15th minute that Valencia got look at goal because Carrick made a mess of what seemed to be a faily routine play, he seemed to have mistaken Pablo for for a United player, generously handing over the ball 25 yards in front of goal. Luckily Pablo puts a little too much on it and it sails over the bar.

Soldado would have a golden opportunity a minute later. Who knows what Van der Sar was thinking when he came out to try and get that ball. He was caught out in no-mans-land and lucky for him Soldado just wasnt expecting it as he hits it up and over the bar.

After those two chances there wasn’t much action in the first half. Both teams were lacking that number 10 “maestro” in the center of midfield. Anderson is Brazilian, but he lacks that Brazilian magic of say Ronaldinho.

The first half would end 0-0 with Valencia having more chances on goal.

By far the most influential player was Pablo, he was taking players on and putting in some great service, but no one could get on the end of it.

Pablo had another great effort in the 49th minute, coming in from the right and cutting to the left past Evra and pulled off a great left shot that just went wide.

Finally United would look a little dangerous in the 56th minute when Fletcher found Berbatov with a 40 yard pass which he controlled brilliantly and then took his defender and went in on goal, earning a corner for United.

But still Valencia looked more dangerous, United couldnt get anything in the final third.

That was until Sir Alex went to the bench and brought on, Javier Hernandez. Many thought it would be Owen off the bench first, but it’s the young Mexican who comes on for Anderson to partner up with Berbatov.

With in 5 minutes of coming on Hernandez would have a look at goal, Nani put in a brilliant ball and Hernandez just got a foot on it, but it wasnt enough as he hits the post.

And again Owen was snubbed as Macheda would come on for Berbatov. But Sir Alex’s decision would pay off in a big way. After only a minute of being on the pitch together, Macheda and Hernandez would team up for the GAME WINNING GOAL! Nani took the ball down the line, just like hes supposed to, he pulled two players toward him which allowed Macheda to open up in the middle, then Macheda would pick out Hernandez at the top of the 18, and with a absolutely brilliant first touch, Hernandez would put in a superb left footed goal.

That would be it! Manchester United would win against Spanish opposition.

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