Ronaldo's treble defeats United spirit

Manchester United 4 Real Madrid 3 Real Madrid win 6-5 on aggregate

When Real Madrid bewitched, bothered and bewildered Manchester United in the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu a fortnight ago one man stood out for the wrong reasons. For the first time in his life Ronaldo looked an artisan among artists.

At Old Trafford last night he reminded team-mates and opponents alike that his astral reputation is earthed in solid achievement. The World Player of the Year's high calibre hat-trick enabled Real to hurdle United's brave challenge to their mastery and move into the semi-finals of a competition they believe is their birthright.

Though United, behind after 13 minutes to Ronaldo's opening strike, responded through Ruud van Nistelrooy, an own goal, and two strikes from substitute David Beckham, they had to settle for a pyrrhic victory. Real Madrid deserved to progress and all neutrals will hope they defeat Juventus to return to Old Trafford for the European Cup Final on 28 May.

United's focus returns to the domestic game, but already Sir Alex Ferguson will be contemplating the changes required to bridge the gap in Europe next year.

A clue to his thoughts may have been revealed in the teamsheets. For Manchester United's biggest match of the season Beckham was dropped. That Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took up his customary place on the right was not a shock; the Norwegian's form in the role demanded it. That Juan Sebastian Veron, who has just recovered from injury, was included at Beckham's expense, was. Veron's performances in the big European games have sometimes been inspired but it was still a move which reverberated in both dressing rooms – and the directors' box.

More unexpected still was Real's recall of Steve McManaman. The Liverpudlian had played at Old Trafford when Real knocked United out at this stage three seasons ago but has been an occasional presence this season and will have been as surprised as anyone at his inclusion.

The most important early influence was Van Nistelrooy. The fulcrum of United's attack, the Dutchman quickly threatened Real's goal. Cutting in from the right he duped Ivan Helguera and Roberto Carlos to bring a sharp save from the alert Iker Casillas.

With the Spanish keeper also having to deny Ryan Giggs at his near post, the portents looked promising for United. Then Real struck with a classic counter-attack. A United cross fell to Wes Brown, augmenting the attack. Reluctant to shoot he attempted to set up Veron but the Argentinian was crowded out. Moving the ball swiftly, from feet to feet, Real passed their way forward. Zinedine Zidane twice featured, Roberto Carlos, Luis Figo and McManaman once, before Guti found Ronaldo striding away from Rio Ferdinand. From the edge of the box the Brazilian left Fabien Barthez, who had deserted his near post, sprawled on the turf in despair.

Barthez was more successful in saving a freak chip from Figo seven minutes later before United rallied with the aid of a tactical adjustment, Solskjaer and Giggs pushing forward into a 4-3-3 formation. Giggs soon shot just wide, inspiring a concerted pre-interval assault in which Solskjaer twice went close before, with two minutes remaining, Giggs released him on the right. The low cross was perfect and Van Nistelrooy tapped in for goal No.39.

United pounded forward and while the bravery of Casillas meant Real reached the sanctuary of the dressing room without further concession, the sight of Michel Salgado and Fernando Hierro being separated by Zidane soon after the break suggested Real were rattled.

Zidane further answered the call for leadership, carrying the ball deep into the heart of United territory. He bided his time then found Figo who, having created space with a sweet turn, curled a deft chip on to the crossbar. United, reprieved, paused. Real did not and Zidane freed Roberto Carlos to slide over a cross which Ronaldo guided in.

United now needed five but, true to their history, they did not give in. Within two minutes they forced Helguera into error, the defender turning Veron's shot past his own keeper.

With Old Trafford roaring them on United tore into Real. Had Casillas not saved acrobatically from Solskjaer, and smartly from Veron's volley, a new chapter in the United legend might have been written. Instead, it was Ronaldo who further embellished his own august reputation on the hour whipping a 25-yard shot which left Barthez clutching at air. When, eight minutes later he was substituted it was to a standing ovation and the chant, from the United faithful, of "Fergie – sign him up".

Another change had by then brought Beckham to the fray. His first significant involvement was to reduce the arrears, and perhaps make a personal point, with a trademark free-kick. United's ability to overturn the most daunting of deficits made one wonder even then and, when Van Nistelrooy's driving run gave Beckham a second with five minutes left Old Trafford roared anew. Real were worried enough to bring on a third centre-half but it was not to be.

Manchester United 4
Van Nistelrooy 43, Helguera og 52, Beckham 71, 84

Real Madrid 3
Ronaldo 12, 50, 59

Half-time: 1-1 Att: 66,708

Real Madrid win 6-5 on aggregate

Manchester United (4-5-1): Barthez; Brown, Ferdinand, Silvestre (P Neville, 79), O'Shea; Solskjaer, Butt, Keane (Fortune, 82), Veron (Beckham, 63), Giggs; Van Nistelrooy. Substitutes not used: Ricardo (gk), Blanc, Forlan, Fletcher.

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Casillas; Michel Salgado, Hierro, Helguera, Roberto Carlos; Makelele, McManaman (Portillo, 69); Figo (Pavon, 86), Zidane, Guti; Ronaldo (Solari, 67). Substitutes not used: Cesar (gk), Morientes, Flavio Conceicão, Cambiasso.

Referee: P Collina (Italy).