United's mission in Italy is like 1999 all over again

Wayne Rooney's late goal on Tuesday completed United's recovery from a sobering first half and gave his side a 3-2 lead to take to San Siro, with a place in the Champions League Final at stake.

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Eight years ago it was Giggs from five yards who gave Sir Alex Ferguson's side hope, the Welshman's 90th-minute goal earning United a 1-1 draw with Juventus that they did not really deserve.

A subsequent 3-2 victory in Turin took United to the Final and the trophy — not to mention a Treble. In order to do it again, the depths of United's resolve will need to be explored once more.

Tuesday's victory perhaps told us two pertinent things. Firstly, that Ferguson's side do not know when they are beaten. Secondly, that Milan are a lavishly gifted and possibly superior team.

At times, Carlo Ancelotti's men passed the ball through and around the Premiership leaders with a grace and intelligence rarely seen in our league.

Clarence Seedorf and Andrea Pirlo were imperious. Had the remarkable Kaka taken one of two early second-half chances, the tie would have been over.

However, it did not happen and that is the cornerstone of United's hope. Just as Giggs remarked eight years ago, a late United goal against Juventus gave them a psychological advantage that allowed them to impose themselves on the Old Lady in her own back garden a week later.

Listening to the Italian players on Tuesday night, the sense of regret was tangible. "This result burns," admitted midfielder Gennaro Gattuso. "We are really angry."

Full back Massimo Oddo was equally upset. "We were stupid," said Oddo. "We played a great first half but then we missed several opportunities to make it 3-1. We have made this hard for ourselves."

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United's delighted players spoke of "confidence" and "nerve" and "resilience", but for the most part it was cliche. The looks on the faces of the Milan team told us much more. They had the tie in their hands and they let it slip.

In Milan, United will have to play with more consistency and they will have to defend better. When the Italian side had the ball on Tuesday they looked persistently dangerous.

And Milan will have plenty of the ball on Wednesday as they seek the 1-0 or 2-1 win that would take them through.

Key to United's effort will be the possible return of central defender Rio Ferdinand — especially with Patrice Evra suspended — while there is cautious talk that Nemanja Vidic may make the game as he continues his recovery from a dislocated shoulder.

Milan, meanwhile, will sweat on the fitness of Gattuso and captain Paolo Maldini. "Gattuso going off was a crucial moment," said former England captain David Platt.

"If he doesn't play next week then United's chances will increase immeasurably. As soon as he went off, Carrick and Scholes had space to work in."

As has been the case recently, injuries will be a key topic for the next six days. A glance to the directors' box on Tuesday saw Ferdinand, Gary Neville, Vidic and Louis Saha sitting in a line in their tracksuits.

Put that lot into the first XI next week and the smart money would be on United. As it is, this semi-final is set up for a classic. And there is just one sombre note, one more worrying parallel with Turin 1999.

As he was back then, Paul Scholes is one booking away from missing the Final. As it transpired, he sat out United's triumph over Bayern Munich. It is just unpalatable that United's midfield genius may be suspended again.