Van Persie’s hat-trick puts Manchester United in quarters

Robin Van Persie yet again turned out to be the saviour for the Red Devils as he scored a hat-trick to put his team in the last 8 of the UEFA Champions League 2013-14. Manchester United needed to win big against Olympiakos to wipe out a 2-goal deficit which they conceded at Athens. Van Persie rose to the occasion just at the right time to carry his team into the next round of the tournament.

Coming into the second leg with a 3-0 drubbing in the hands of arch-rival Liverpool on last Sunday Manchester United needed something special from their experienced players to overcome the hurdle. And David Moyes would be happy in which his most experienced personnel on the field controlled the proceedings right from the word ‘go’. It was none other than Ryan Giggs at the age of 40 years who turned out to be the most important player on the pitch for the Red Devils.

Van Persie opened the scoring in the 25^th minute of the match when he slotted home from the spot after he was put down inside the penalty area. His second came with just few seconds remaining just before the half-time whistle when he side-footed in Wayne Rooney’s cross to put the English champions level on terms in the tie. It was not yet job done for United as they needed one more to qualify for the next round. And Van Persie provided that just after the beginning of the second half as he curled in free-kick befooling the goalkeeper after Danny Welbeck had gone down too easily to a challenge. United then played out the match without much difficulty though David de Gea had to pull off few great saves to protect the lead.

United, however, cannot feel relieved, as Van Persie was stretchered of the field in the dying minutes of the match which seemed likely to be a knee-injury. David Moyes will still feel a bit relaxed as pressure begun to mount over him after the embarrassing defeat against Liverpool on Sunday.

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About Argha Ghosh

An ardent follower of sports and die-hard Manchester United fan, Argha's ultimate dream is to watch a Manchester derby from the Stretford End at the Old Trafford.