VIEW FROM THE PRESSBOX

Manchester United can never have dreamed that they would look a 3-1 defeat in the face and greet it with civility. Gary Neville and Paul Scholes will be suspended for the return leg, but the second part of this quarterfinal is not wholly academic. A goal by Ruud van Nistelrooy halted a rout at the Bernabeu.

Primitive arithmetic states that a 2-0 win would send United through, but this was a game that demands more subtle calculations. Sir Alex Ferguson's team, with a dogged desire to attack when possible, contributed to the drama. Even if they had to make do with a minor role, lesser sides would have struggled to get into camera shot at all against elusive Real.

United have to decide if this was a throwback to the cringe worthy nights of the early 90s or simply a rendezvous with a truly great team. The Old Trafford club could not cope with the searing build-up in midfield and here was reaffirmation that no one else quite has such delicate and deceptive touches as that otherwise robust midfielder Zinedine Zidane.

In under half an hour they were already 2-0 down and indebted to the referee Anders Frisk for not awarding a blatant penalty. This was meant to be a gathering of peers, but United, to their disbelief, had to rediscover what it is to be outclassed. Worse still, with the second leg in mind, it was hard to see what they can do about it.

United clung on last night, but success in this tie may already be beyond their reach.

The Telegraph

The night was dominated by the white of Real. Men against boys, sorcerers against apprentices: Real toyed with United brutally, spiriting the ball around Ferguson's players with bewitching ease. Not until the 52nd minute, when Van Nistelrooy poached a reply, did United look involved. By then, Real had already struck thrice.

Real's fantasy football guided United into an enveloping nightmare that even Van Nistelrooy's goal could not wake them from. Zidane was sensational, guiding moves around the Bernabeu as if it were his private fiefdom, using all that fabulous technique for the good of the team and always working, working, never dipping in his diligence.

Raul was again the rapier, slicing through the English defence with those fine passes and deft touches. Figo also applied all his arts and crafts to Real's rich work.

Figo's wonderful goal will have meant more to him than simply his 20th goal in 95 appearances in European club competitions. If Real are intent on bringing in David Beckham, exploiting his rich talent and commercial appeal, then Figo's place in the starting line-up of this extraordinary team would be in jeopardy. If this was a fight for the right, Figo's industry down that flank, and his goal, eclipsed Beckham's contribution. Also the creator, Figo released Ronaldo through on goal after 20 minutes and the Brazilian was clearly brought down by Brown. Anders Frisk waved play on and then, remarkably, ignored Barthez's obvious handling offence two yards outside the box.

Outclassed, United still showed their character, seeking to achieve a mission impossible. When Gary Neville crossed from the right, Ryan Giggs's snap-shot drew a close range save from Iker Casillas but Van Nistelrooy was on hand to head home.

The Times

Sir Alex Ferguson secured the away goal that he craved on a privileged evening in the Bernabéu Stadium last night. Shame about the three — and it could have been six — that flew into Manchester United's net in the European Cup quarterfinal first leg.

On a night that should have been billed as An Audience with Zinedine Zidane, the last representatives of the Barclaycard Premiership were sliced apart by a Real Madrid team that will surely retain the trophy.

The world's best side can acclimatise for the final at Old Trafford on May 28 when they come to Manchester in a fortnight and finish off the demolition of Ferguson's ambitions. Real hardly need any help, but their task will be aided by the suspension of Paul Scholes and Gary Neville, both booked last night.

Luis Figo scored the first goal before two from Raúl, but every touch from Zidane proved why, in a squad of prodigious talent, he still manages to tower above his gifted team-mates. In a universal game played by billions, the Frenchman has a feathery touch and balance that makes him unique. "He is my favourite," Steve McManaman has said, although Zidane was enemy No 1 among a United midfield that was always a step behind his feints and flicks.

In Europe's finest theatre of football, the Continent's best team set out as if determined to teach United a lesson. Ferguson's bullying might work in his own domestic playground, but he picked a fight that he could never hope to win.

The crowd were revelling in the rout, but it was not the job of the Real players to join in the celebrations, a mistake that they paid for when United claimed the away goal that reduced an impossible task at Old Trafford to the need for a highly improbable 2-0 victory. After Iker Casillas had tipped away Ryan Giggs's shot, Van Nistelrooy nodded in the rebound. The Holland striker might have added a second soon afterwards, but for a brave block by the goalkeeper.

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