Manchester United appear to have turned round the corner after enjoying a 3-0 win over Olympiakos, which helped them come back from a 2-0 deficit in the first leg. They have now qualified for the quarter-finals of the Champions League where they could be facing the top teams like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Both these clubs are regarded as the favourites for the title itself. For the 2008 champions, things are slightly different after struggling for form throughout the regime of David Moyes.
After the 3-0 defeat against Liverpool on Sunday, there have been suggestions that Moyes would be sacked before the end of the season. However, the former Everton man brought himself some breathing space with this victory.
Robin van Persie, who has been criticised in recent weeks for his lack of effort, came up with the goods after scoring a stunning hat-trick. Ryan Giggs was instrumental in all the goals scored by United, while the ever present Antonio Valencia provided the much-needed stability for the club on the other side.
Despite this win, United were holding on to the nerves during the final few moments since there was an opportunity that would send them crashing out of the competition had Olympiakos scored just one goal.
“I don’t want to come out and say: ‘This is the moment’. But I hope it is. This is a work in progress and it will take time to get it as we really want it. It is a big job. I have got a lot of things I want to do, but the players gave the crowd something after we lost to Liverpool and we are delighted to see Manchester United in the last eight of the Champions League. There are stories of this player falling out, or that one falling out, but it is rubbish,” said Moyes.