Manchester United played like a 'handball' team, says Arjen Robben after draw with Bayern Munich
The first-leg of the Champions League quarter-final ended 1-1 at Old Trafford
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Your support makes all the difference.Arjen Robben has compared Manchester United's tactics in last night's 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich to those used in handball.
The Dutch winger and his team were frustrated at Old Trafford as David Moyes set up his team to soak up the pressure from the German outfit and hit them on the counter attack.
It was a system that worked in United's favour, with the hosts creating numerous chances from which Nemanja Vidic scored a header early in the second half. Bastian Schweinsteiger would equalise soon after the opener but it was still a pleasing result for the struggling Premier League side.
However, the Bayern Munich have been critical of the tactics employed by United.
"It was not easy, as our opponents didn't leave any gaps," Robben told German media today. "We wanted to play football but they tried to stop us. The English were just playing on the counter and have played very defensively, it was almost like in handball.
"But when you go a goal down you have to be pleased with a draw. 1-1 is a very good result that we can take home with us and then we just have to finish it off next week."
The sides will meet again at the Allianz Arena a week today with the tie difficult to call. However, Philipp Lahm is among those confident that the reigning champions can advance to the last four.
"We wanted to win here, but if you come back from 1-0 down you can be satisfied. It puts us in a good starting position," said the club's captain.
Bayern's away goal may prove crucial given their strength at home, Pep Gaurdiola said.
"That away goal is extremely important. Obviously a 1-1 is a dangerous result but I have full confidence in my players."
The former Barcelona manager will be hoping United come to Germany with a different approach to the one employed last night, although that seems unlikely, having also been frustrated at Old Trafford.
"It's not easy when you want to control the game and there are nine players in the box, eight, nine players there," he said. "So it's not easy. But we controlled the game."
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