Celtic against Manchester United

Evra falls over rather than shooting - not ideal for a side looking for a late winner. Wrong studs?

A training ground effort between Giggs and Ronaldo is smothered by the out-rushing Celtic defence and the freekick comes to nothing.

Ronaldo is taken out by Brown and United have a freekick on the very corner of the penalty area.

Five minutes left for United to steal all three points - and you would not bet against them.

Ryan Giggs levels the score with a close range header. Ronaldo fired another long range shot, but so feirce was the pace of the ball that Boruc could only parry the shot, which allowed the ball to bounce into Giggs' path. 1-1.

Goal for United!

McManus - one of a seven man backline - gets his head in the way of a Ronaldo shot.

Celtic Park in raptures; as the sense a famous win the crowd erupt into song

Evra twists and turns on the left but can't escape Hartley's attentions.

McDonald leaves the game to a standing ovation as he is subbed for Ben Hutchinson.

Carrick tries his luck with drive from outside the box, but it is deflected out for corner - taken short and fed to Rooney who fires on goal but is denied by Boruc.

O'Dea with a clearence from yet another Ronaldo header.

And Brown is happy to rough it up a bit as well - he's lucky to avoid a booking for foul on Ronaldo.

Scott Brown is having a good game marking Ronaldo - not many can say that. But Brown is not in awe and is sharp enough in tackle and pace to match the wizard tonight.

A deep cross by Ronaldo is dealt with by Hinkel - Celtic have been equal to all United's best efforts so far.

A change for Celtic. Off goes Maloney - who has had a great game - and on comes Darren O'Dea to bolster the defence.

Time running out for United. They need to get something soon.

Wilson looks injured. He beat Ronaldo with a neat trick, but may have paid a price.

Ronaldo fires in a pot-shot from range, and while Boruc spills it at first he gathers at the second time of asking.

A wasted corner, but Celtic can't keep possession after clearing and United are back on the attack.

Another solid header from McManus, the Celtic skipper. He concedes a corner from Ronaldo's cross which was aimed at Rooney's shaven head.

A change for United - the night is over for Tevez, who has been poor by his standards, he is replaced by Wayne Rooney.

McManus heads clear a Giggs cross and again United are repelled, but had Giggs lofted in a ball first time, instead of checking back he might have found an attacker, not a defender.

Tevez should have scored, but instead of shooting first time on his right he turned inside to shoot with his left, giving the defender time to position himself. More over-complication from United.

A frantic moment in the Celtic area with Boruc called upon to stop Tevez and Fletcher - he escapes with his goal intact as Celtic hit back on the counter. United should have scored.

A freekick for United is drilled into the wall be Ronaldo. Not his most productive game.

Another change for United, this time we say goodnight, sleep tight to young Rafael (it is passed his bedtime) and welcome Patrice Evra to the game.

A slightly over-complicated move from United ends up at Berbatov's feet inside the six-yard box, but the bounce is awkward and the Bulgarian can't do anything but let it bounce off him. Poor.

A change for Celtic, a tired looking Sheridan goes off to be replaced by Massimo Donati

An over-hit pass from Ronaldo asks too much of Tevez, and the two players exchange disappointed looks.

Sheridan gets his head to the corner after somehow escpae Rio and Vidic - he nearly scored.

A good spell from Celtic; great play, working the ball really well and as a result Brown wins a corner.

Rio, Carrick and Tevez gang up on Wilson to win the ball

Of course, Gordon Strachan argument will be that while it might not look pretty (or indeed safe) the system is working. I just don't trust it.

While United have yet to score against the zone system tonight, you feel that it is just a matter of time before one of those corners leads to a goal, Celtic are hanging on at set plays.

Yet another corner and yet again United a denied, this time on the line by Maloney.

Giggs runs at the heart of Celtic - leaving defenders in his wake, but his final pass is jsut cut out by Caldwell.

In a shock development, Berbatov is tracking back and I swear on my life, I just saw him tackle someone. Unbelievable.

Maloney takes out Ronaldo and then Rafael as the two try to work their way past him - a strong player Maloney.

Vidic again gets to the ball first from a corner, and again one has to question the zonal system employed by Celtic. It leaves defenders rooted to the spot and open to attacking headers.

Wilson concedes a corner from Berbatov's lofted pass aimed at Ronaldo.

Berbatov proves that even he can't score with his face as the ball bounces off his mush after a pull back from Tevez.

Ugency from both sides at the start of the half, as both try to stake claim to bossing the game.

Neat footwork and a smart shot from Fletcher is matched a moment later by Carrick as Celtic have their backs to the wall.

And, as the second half settles down, there's time to tell you all that United are wearing blue shirts in tribute to their forebears who won the European Cup 40 years ago for the club. United intend to wear the blue shirts, as worn by George Best and Bobby Charlton at Wembley in ?68, on the road this season whenever they can. A nice touch, I?m sure you?ll agree.

Ferguson felt he could afford to leave Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov on the bench with Carlos Tevez partnering Ryan Giggs in attack. But he's changed his mind in the second half - on comes Berbatov, off goes Nani.

The Hoops deserve to be in front, but you can't help but feel something will drop for United.

That's the half and Celtic are ahead!

Into injury time in the first half and Celtic will be happy.

Vidic holds his head in his hands after his header flies over the bar - he should have done better from the corner, and he knows it.

Ronaldo fires in a great cross after a nice peice of build up from United.

Caldwell with some good defending to deny United a corner - he could have put a foot on the ball, but read the danger and left the ball. Sometimes its what you don't do.

The corner is not up to much and United break, and the boos ring out from the home fans as the visitors hold on to possession.

Celtic throwing men forward in support of Wilson who wins a corner after a superb run which cut open United.

Tevez and Brown get involved in a minor incident as the Untied man tried to win the ball after mistake by O'Shea. The ref has a word and the game continues.

O'Shea redeems himself with some sharp tackling on the edge of the box to deny McDonald.

Wilson and Ronaldo clash whilst going up for a 50-50 header. Wilson is unhurt, and so is Ronaldo - but it doesn't stop the United winger acting as if he has been stabbed, shot, kicked and poked in the eye all at the same time. Oh look, he's fine now. Please.

Tevez and Ronaldo combine to create space for the Argentine who fires a rasping shot which flies just wide.

Back underway and United used that brief respite to wrest control and re-find their shape.

A slight break in play after a "fan" gets onto the pitch. The camers don't show us whether it was in a state of undress, but let's pretend it was a naked person - just for fun.

Celtic scrapping for every 50-50 ball and winning most - good hunger, just what you need against United.

Ronaldo beats Robson, slips a ball wide to Fletcher and waits for the return ball in the area, but Wilson cuts the ball out and Celtic break

Freekick for United now for a foul on Ronaldo - getting a bit scrappy.

Yellow card for Nani who is still seething over his corner that wasn't. Just because you don't get a decision doesn't mean it's right to cut down Hinkel in full flight from behind.

Nani looks like he might cry after trying and failing to win a corner. A pouting, stroppy Portuguese player for Manchester United? Who'd've thought it!

O'Shea the weak link for United at the moment, with Brown and Hartley getting the better of the Peter Kay lookalike.

Foster punches the corner clear, but then gets caught in no-mans-land scrabbling over Sheridan's head attempting to swat the ball clear. Risky, but he gets away with it.

Celtic's best spell of passing and movement leads to a corner. Well played. Some slick stuff there.

Sheridan wins a freekick in similar position to that which led to the Celtic goal. But they play it on the deck rather than going aerial.

Foster replaces United's first-choice keeper tonight as Ferguson is resting Van der Sar for the weekend clash with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Tonight's game is only Foster's second start since signing from Stoke over three years ago.

More United pressure as Celtic break but are quickly stopped in their tracks by Nani, who robs the ball and wins a throw.

Again United cause problems - but Celtic's zonal system holds firm, at the expense of another corner.

Ronaldo reduced to a long range effort as Celtic swamp the defence - he wins a corner.

Having said all that, some great defending by Celtic - back in numbers they guarded space so well that Fletcher, Ronaldo, Tevez and Nani in full flight could not get through a tightly packed bank of Celtic bodies.

Celtic asking for trouble with the zonal defence tactic; at corners and freekick the home side are marking space not men - a risky tactic.

Rio Ferdinand finds himslef unmarked at the back following the corner. But despite the time afforded him by Celtic's zonal marking he can't get his volley on target.

Tevez unlucky to be beaten to a Rafael cross - corner the result.

United find an extra gear and are pinging passes at will, but Celtic are defending in numbers and look resolute.

United back on the front foot trying to redress the balance, Giggs with the ball on the left teases and goads Hinkel with his footwork.

The crowd find their voice and are in raptures. The pre-match singing was great, but once the game started the power and precision of United cowed the home fans - but the goal has them roaring now.

A beatuifully taken goal by Scott MCDonald! The freekick was fired into the area, headed clear, headed back into a throng of players, then worked wide to McDonald who, at an angle to the goal, chested then fired in a delicious shot which was deft enough to beat Foster. Great finish.

Goal for Celtic!

Rafael takes out Maloney with a poor tackle - should have been a yellow card, but it's just a freekick on the opposite flank the wasted set-play of earlier.

Decent corner from Celtic, but United clear. A hint that United cannot take the home side lightly.

Brown gets the better of Carrick and Giggs and charges into the United area. Rafael clears the danger, but concedes a corner.

Ronaldo strikes the freekick with impressive force and venom, but it rose too high and rocketed fractions high and wide. A range finder?

Freekick to United for a foul on Darren Fletcher by Celtic's Barry Robson. Central position, 30 yards out - dangerous territory.

Carrick pulling the strings in central midfield - he has the measure of Celtic at the moment.

Sheridan won possession for Celtic in the United half, but was soon out-muscled by Carrick who fed the ball to Tevez on the right. Celtic a little lightweight it seems.

Oh. That was pretty poor. A Celtic player tested the eyesight of the linesman by straying into an offside position as the freekick was taken. The lino appears to have his contacts in tonight. Freekick wasted.

Brown wins a freekick for Celtic off O'Shea for a rough challenge. Good chance for Celtic to test Ben Foster - in for Van Der Sar tonight.

Early though it is, you have to worry for Celtic. United are out of the blocks at a lightening pace and appear to be intent on killing the game off early.

Giggs' whipped in the corner, O'Shea missed the header and Ronaldo swung a leg at the ball - Celtic escape.

Nani, Tevez and Ronaldo combine in a move which leads to an early corner.

Early signs of United's touch and movement as they pass their way through Celtic's midfield.

For reasons best known to Manchester United and Nike, the visitors will be wearing blue shirts tonight. Quite why red would have clashed with Celics's classic green and white hoops is beyond me, but there you go.

Referee Tom Ovrebo from Norway blows his whistle and we are off.

And for Manchester United: Foster, Rafael Da Silva, Ferdinand, Vidic, O'Shea, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Carrick, Nani, Tevez, Giggs. Warming the bench: Kuszczak, Evra, Anderson, Berbatov, Rooney, Park, Evans.

The team news in for tonight's game at Celtic Park. For the home side: Celtic v Man Utd Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Wilson, Hartley, Scott Brown, Robson, Maloney, McDonald, Sheridan. And the Subs: Mark Brown, Naylor, Donati, Hutchinson, Nakamura, O'Dea, Caddis.

It's win or bust for Celtic as they face Manchester United in the Champions League this evening. Join us at 1945 BST to see if they can triumph over the holders.

A change for Celtic. Off goes Maloney - who has had a great game - and on comes Darren O'Dea to bolster the defence.

Time running out for United. They need to get something soon.

Wilson looks injured. He beat Ronaldo with a neat trick, but may have paid a price.

Ronaldo fires in a pot-shot from range, and while Boruc spills it at first he gathers at the second time of asking.

A wasted corner, but Celtic can't keep possession after clearing and United are back on the attack.

Another solid header from McManus, the Celtic skipper. He concedes a corner from Ronaldo's cross which was aimed at Rooney's shaven head.

A change for United - the night is over for Tevez, who has been poor by his standards, he is replaced by Wayne Rooney.

McManus heads clear a Giggs cross and again United are repelled, but had Giggs lofted in a ball first time, instead of checking back he might have found an attacker, not a defender.

Tevez should have scored, but instead of shooting first time on his right he turned inside to shoot with his left, giving the defender time to position himself. More over-complication from United.

A frantic moment in the Celtic area with Boruc called upon to stop Tevez and Fletcher - he escapes with his goal intact as Celtic hit back on the counter. United should have scored.

A freekick for United is drilled into the wall be Ronaldo. Not his most productive game.

Another change for United, this time we say goodnight, sleep tight to young Rafael (it is passed his bedtime) and welcome Patrice Evra to the game.

A slightly over-complicated move from United ends up at Berbatov's feet inside the six-yard box, but the bounce is awkward and the Bulgarian can't do anything but let it bounce off him. Poor.

A change for Celtic, a tired looking Sheridan goes off to be replaced by Massimo Donati

An over-hit pass from Ronaldo asks too much of Tevez, and the two players exchange disappointed looks.

Sheridan gets his head to the corner after somehow escpae Rio and Vidic - he nearly scored.

A good spell from Celtic; great play, working the ball really well and as a result Brown wins a corner.

Rio, Carrick and Tevez gang up on Wilson to win the ball

Of course, Gordon Strachan argument will be that while it might not look pretty (or indeed safe) the system is working. I just don't trust it.

While United have yet to score against the zone system tonight, you feel that it is just a matter of time before one of those corners leads to a goal, Celtic are hanging on at set plays.

Yet another corner and yet again United a denied, this time on the line by Maloney.

Giggs runs at the heart of Celtic - leaving defenders in his wake, but his final pass is jsut cut out by Caldwell.

In a shock development, Berbatov is tracking back and I swear on my life, I just saw him tackle someone. Unbelievable.

Maloney takes out Ronaldo and then Rafael as the two try to work their way past him - a strong player Maloney.

Vidic again gets to the ball first from a corner, and again one has to question the zonal system employed by Celtic. It leaves defenders rooted to the spot and open to attacking headers.

Wilson concedes a corner from Berbatov's lofted pass aimed at Ronaldo.

Berbatov proves that even he can't score with his face as the ball bounces off his mush after a pull back from Tevez.

Ugency from both sides at the start of the half, as both try to stake claim to bossing the game.

Neat footwork and a smart shot from Fletcher is matched a moment later by Carrick as Celtic have their backs to the wall.

And, as the second half settles down, there's time to tell you all that United are wearing blue shirts in tribute to their forebears who won the European Cup 40 years ago for the club. United intend to wear the blue shirts, as worn by George Best and Bobby Charlton at Wembley in ?68, on the road this season whenever they can. A nice touch, I?m sure you?ll agree.

Ferguson felt he could afford to leave Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov on the bench with Carlos Tevez partnering Ryan Giggs in attack. But he's changed his mind in the second half - on comes Berbatov, off goes Nani.

The Hoops deserve to be in front, but you can't help but feel something will drop for United.

That's the half and Celtic are ahead!

Into injury time in the first half and Celtic will be happy.

Vidic holds his head in his hands after his header flies over the bar - he should have done better from the corner, and he knows it.

Ronaldo fires in a great cross after a nice peice of build up from United.

Caldwell with some good defending to deny United a corner - he could have put a foot on the ball, but read the danger and left the ball. Sometimes its what you don't do.

The corner is not up to much and United break, and the boos ring out from the home fans as the visitors hold on to possession.

Celtic throwing men forward in support of Wilson who wins a corner after a superb run which cut open United.

Tevez and Brown get involved in a minor incident as the Untied man tried to win the ball after mistake by O'Shea. The ref has a word and the game continues.

O'Shea redeems himself with some sharp tackling on the edge of the box to deny McDonald.

Wilson and Ronaldo clash whilst going up for a 50-50 header. Wilson is unhurt, and so is Ronaldo - but it doesn't stop the United winger acting as if he has been stabbed, shot, kicked and poked in the eye all at the same time. Oh look, he's fine now. Please.

Tevez and Ronaldo combine to create space for the Argentine who fires a rasping shot which flies just wide.

Back underway and United used that brief respite to wrest control and re-find their shape.

A slight break in play after a "fan" gets onto the pitch. The camers don't show us whether it was in a state of undress, but let's pretend it was a naked person - just for fun.

Celtic scrapping for every 50-50 ball and winning most - good hunger, just what you need against United.

Ronaldo beats Robson, slips a ball wide to Fletcher and waits for the return ball in the area, but Wilson cuts the ball out and Celtic break

Freekick for United now for a foul on Ronaldo - getting a bit scrappy.

Yellow card for Nani who is still seething over his corner that wasn't. Just because you don't get a decision doesn't mean it's right to cut down Hinkel in full flight from behind.

Nani looks like he might cry after trying and failing to win a corner. A pouting, stroppy Portuguese player for Manchester United? Who'd've thought it!

O'Shea the weak link for United at the moment, with Brown and Hartley getting the better of the Peter Kay lookalike.

Foster punches the corner clear, but then gets caught in no-mans-land scrabbling over Sheridan's head attempting to swat the ball clear. Risky, but he gets away with it.

Celtic's best spell of passing and movement leads to a corner. Well played. Some slick stuff there.

Sheridan wins a freekick in similar position to that which led to the Celtic goal. But they play it on the deck rather than going aerial.

Foster replaces United's first-choice keeper tonight as Ferguson is resting Van der Sar for the weekend clash with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Tonight's game is only Foster's second start since signing from Stoke over three years ago.

More United pressure as Celtic break but are quickly stopped in their tracks by Nani, who robs the ball and wins a throw.

Again United cause problems - but Celtic's zonal system holds firm, at the expense of another corner.

Ronaldo reduced to a long range effort as Celtic swamp the defence - he wins a corner.

Having said all that, some great defending by Celtic - back in numbers they guarded space so well that Fletcher, Ronaldo, Tevez and Nani in full flight could not get through a tightly packed bank of Celtic bodies.

Celtic asking for trouble with the zonal defence tactic; at corners and freekick the home side are marking space not men - a risky tactic.

Rio Ferdinand finds himslef unmarked at the back following the corner. But despite the time afforded him by Celtic's zonal marking he can't get his volley on target.

Tevez unlucky to be beaten to a Rafael cross - corner the result.

United find an extra gear and are pinging passes at will, but Celtic are defending in numbers and look resolute.

United back on the front foot trying to redress the balance, Giggs with the ball on the left teases and goads Hinkel with his footwork.

The crowd find their voice and are in raptures. The pre-match singing was great, but once the game started the power and precision of United cowed the home fans - but the goal has them roaring now.

A beatuifully taken goal by Scott MCDonald! The freekick was fired into the area, headed clear, headed back into a throng of players, then worked wide to McDonald who, at an angle to the goal, chested then fired in a delicious shot which was deft enough to beat Foster. Great finish.

Goal for Celtic!

Rafael takes out Maloney with a poor tackle - should have been a yellow card, but it's just a freekick on the opposite flank the wasted set-play of earlier.

Decent corner from Celtic, but United clear. A hint that United cannot take the home side lightly.

Brown gets the better of Carrick and Giggs and charges into the United area. Rafael clears the danger, but concedes a corner.

Ronaldo strikes the freekick with impressive force and venom, but it rose too high and rocketed fractions high and wide. A range finder?

Freekick to United for a foul on Darren Fletcher by Celtic's Barry Robson. Central position, 30 yards out - dangerous territory.

Carrick pulling the strings in central midfield - he has the measure of Celtic at the moment.

Sheridan won possession for Celtic in the United half, but was soon out-muscled by Carrick who fed the ball to Tevez on the right. Celtic a little lightweight it seems.

Oh. That was pretty poor. A Celtic player tested the eyesight of the linesman by straying into an offside position as the freekick was taken. The lino appears to have his contacts in tonight. Freekick wasted.

Brown wins a freekick for Celtic off O'Shea for a rough challenge. Good chance for Celtic to test Ben Foster - in for Van Der Sar tonight.

Early though it is, you have to worry for Celtic. United are out of the blocks at a lightening pace and appear to be intent on killing the game off early.

Giggs' whipped in the corner, O'Shea missed the header and Ronaldo swung a leg at the ball - Celtic escape.

Nani, Tevez and Ronaldo combine in a move which leads to an early corner.

Early signs of United's touch and movement as they pass their way through Celtic's midfield.

For reasons best known to Manchester United and Nike, the visitors will be wearing blue shirts tonight. Quite why red would have clashed with Celics's classic green and white hoops is beyond me, but there you go.

Referee Tom Ovrebo from Norway blows his whistle and we are off.

And for Manchester United: Foster, Rafael Da Silva, Ferdinand, Vidic, O'Shea, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Carrick, Nani, Tevez, Giggs. Warming the bench: Kuszczak, Evra, Anderson, Berbatov, Rooney, Park, Evans.

The team news in for tonight's game at Celtic Park. For the home side: Celtic v Man Utd Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Wilson, Hartley, Scott Brown, Robson, Maloney, McDonald, Sheridan. And the Subs: Mark Brown, Naylor, Donati, Hutchinson, Nakamura, O'Dea, Caddis.

It's win or bust for Celtic as they face Manchester United in the Champions League this evening. Join us at 1945 BST to see if they can triumph over the holders.