Football: United are thwarted by Elber

Bayern Munich 2 Manchester United

IT IS the loneliest position in the game - and last night Peter Schmeichel knew it.

For 89 minutes he had been part of an outstanding defensive performance as Manchester United edged their way to a crucial Champions' League victory. Then a long throw came in and Schmeichel, in a sudden, reckless rush of blood, lunged towards it. With the bodies piled up in front of him he never had a chance and the ball drifted over his flailing arms, bounced, and, after Giovane Elber and Teddy Sheringham tussled for it, ended in the net.

Although it was claimed by Elber, it was not clear who got the final touch, but in reality it did not matter. The goal was an equaliser, but it must have felt like a winner against them to United.

For the second Champions' League game in succession they had thrown away the chance of three points. It leaves them with two from two, half the tally of the Group D leaders, Barcelona, who defeated Brondby 2-0 in Spain last night.

Compounding their depression was another booking for David Beckham, his second of the campaign, which means he is suspended for the visit to Copenhagen to play Brondby on 21 October. The England midfielder could easily have been more heavily penalised after appearing to aim an elbow at Bayern's Bosnian midfielder Hasan Salihamidzic.

"It was a good performance. I'm pleased with that part," the United manager, Alex Ferguson, said. "What happened at the end was one of those things that kicks you in the teeth."

It was especially hard on Schmeichel, who had made one miraculous save and several excellent ones. Though United were put under immense pressure, it looked as if the fledgling defensive partnership of Jaap Stam and Gary Neville would be rewarded for a fine performances.

United had gone behind to an Elber goal, after 10 minutes, but found the character and ability to reply through Dwight Yorke after half an hour, then take the lead through Paul Scholes three minutes into the second half.

In truth, they were often second best to an impressive Bayern side, but they also had periods of control and, until the ghastly late error, showed great composure. Much of that was from Sheringham, given an unexpected recall in part to counter Bayern's height advantage, in part because his game is suited to Europe.

The early exchanges were surprisingly open. Yorke almost took advantage of an error by Thomas Linke and Lothar Matthaus shot wide after a Bayern corner. United then embarked on a long spell of possession football but were beaten by a sudden rapier thrust from Bayern.

Stefan Effenberg, who illuminated the game with his passing, played a long ball out to Elber, who cut in and fed Jancker. He played a neat one- two with Salihamidzic before feeding the Brazilian, who neatly steered the ball past Schmeichel to score his sixth goal of the season. There was a strong suspicion of offside, but the movement was so quick it was no surprise the linesman missed it.

The goal lifted Bayern but United stifled their impetus and created chances of their own. Sheringhamalmost levelled from Beckham's cut-back corner, Oliver Kahn scrambling the shot away, and Beckham put a free-kick wide.

Bayern were creaking, Matthaus, their 37-year-old sweeper, most of all. He was booked for a late tackle on Blomqvist then, under pressure from Beckham, gave the ball away. Sheringham released Beckham down the wing and he whipped over the perfect cross for Yorke to head home.

Shortly before the break United's concentration was disrupted by Beckham's booking, for an unnecessary foul on Effenberg, and subsequent tussle with Salihamidzic.

But United revived as Yorke headed a free-kick on to Scholes, who took advantage of a poor touch by Linke and hesitancy by Kahn to put United ahead. That was almost United's last real attack as Bayern poured forward. Salihamidzic, Effenberg and Berkant Goktan shot just wide, Effenberg and Jens Jeremies both brought fine saves from Schmeichel.

The visitors were tiring, and Bayern's constant pressure was scrambling their minds. They retreated further into defence, allowing Bayern to push on, but, until Schmeichel's error, it seemed they had done enough. The memory of the Busby Babes, who perished on a nearby runway 40 years ago, would have been honoured with a victory. But football can be cruel as well as romantic, and it was not to be.

Bayern Munich (1-2-4-3): Kahn; Matthaus; Babbel, Linke; Strunz, Jeremies (Fink, 83), Effenberg, Lizarazu; Elber, Jancker (Daei, 63), Salihamidzic (Goktan, 63). Substitutes not used: Scheuer (gk), Kuffour, Tarnat.

Manchester United (4-4-2): Schmeichel; Irwin, G Neville, Stam, P Neville; Beckham, Scholes, Keane, Blomqvist (Cruyff, 68); Sheringham, Yorke. Substitutes not used: Van der Gouw (gk), May, Cole, Solskjaer, Berg, Brown.

Referee: M Batta (France).

n Manchester United were forced to spend last night in Germany after the charter flight due to bring them home was not allowed to take off from Munich airport because of noise pollution restrictions at night. The Old Trafford management, players and officials were told they would not be able to return to England until this morning and a frantic search began for suitable hotel rooms in the city.

John Roberts in Munich, Arsenal prevail, results, page 28