FERGIE'S KOP CHASE
SEMI-FINAL 2ND LEG AC MILAN 3-0 MAN UTD, AC MILAN WIN 5-3 ON AGG
Oliver Holt Chief Sports Writer 03/05/2007
GREAT thunderclaps crackled in the dark skies above the San Siro and lightning flashes lit up the death of Sir Alex Ferguson's dreams.
In ancient Italy, they believed that a storm such as this foretold the demise of Julius Caesar and last night it illuminated the downfall of Manchester United's great emperor.
His craggy face framed against the rain that fell fast in white lines through the girdered roof of the stadium, Ferguson was powerless to resuscitate his last towering ambition of winning the Champions League for a second time.
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United's failure against an inspired Milan side should not be allowed to obscure their magical contribution to this season or lessen their achievement in dethroning Chelsea in the Premiership.
But the astonishing success of Rafa Benitez in guiding Liverpool to two Champions League finals in three years does highlight Ferguson's failure to impose himself on the European stage.
How long does he keep chasing the dream now? How long do United let him chase it? Are they content with domestic dominance or do they really want to move to the next level?
This was the trophy Ferguson wanted to win above all the others. This was the one that would have gilded his legacy and perhaps paved the way for his glorious retirement this summer.
What a beautiful symmetry he would have found in trying to beat Liverpool in the final in Athens.
How sweet it would have been to end his managerial career on the biggest possible stage against the side he had vowed to emulate when he arrived at United in 1986.
Now, that is not to be. In fact, the crushing reality for United fans is that things appear to have come full circle and in Europe at least, United are chasing Liverpool again.
Now, even though United could seal their first Premiership title for four years this weekend and add the FA Cup to their trophy haul on May 19, their season has suddenly lost some of its lustre.
If there is a consolation in last night's result for those who have been thrilled by the football United have produced this season and wish to see the old maestro go on, it must be that Ferguson is unlikely to turn his back on the game now.
One European Cup in 21 years at Old Trafford is the only statistic that stains his CV and he remains desperate to add to his solitary triumph in 1999.
A second Treble this season and Ferguson would surely have been sorely tempted to ride off into the sunset like his celluloid hero John Wayne. That scenario does not apply any more and Ferguson is still searching for the perfect farewell he craves but which might never come.
United were outclassed but Ferguson is entitled to think the side he has built with Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo as its spearheads will get better.
They looked a level shy of greatness in the San Siro, too callow and too inexperienced to take the final step.
Too often Ferguson's sides have not learned their lesson in Europe and they looked further away than ever from solving the puzzle.
"It is the name of the game in Europe that you do not give the ball away," Ferguson said, "and we did - we cut our own throats." They threatened several times in the second half and Rooney produced touches of fantasy.
But they could not force their way back into the game and Alberto Gilardino killed them off 12 minutes from time.
So there were no more jigs of delight off the bench from Ferguson, only expectant expressions followed by gasps of disappointment and despair.
This was the comeback too far for the team that has delighted us so often with its breathtaking brand of attacking football.
Ferguson could at least reflect United were eliminated by a majestic side because it was Milan who were breathtaking.
In the early exchanges United did not look as if they belonged on the same pitch. The Italians cut through them with dismissive ease, dragging United out of shape and passing to team-mates roaming free in wide open spaces.
Kaka was magnificently elusive, first ghosting past Nemanja Vidic to set up an early chance then gliding away from him again to crash home Clarence Seedorf's nod down and put Milan ahead.
Andrea Pirlo was imperious in the centre of midfield and Seedorf so calm and assured he brutally exposed United's nerves.
And Gennaro Gattuso was even better, harrying the life out of Ronaldo and denying him the space and time he has used so often to destroy the opposition.
Gattuso reacted to one tackle on Ronaldo four minutes before half time by punching the air in glee and urging the crowd to increase the volume of their support.
For much of the first half, just as they had been at Old Trafford, United were outplayed.
Their injuries in defence caught up with them. Vidic, well short of full fitness, could not cope with Kaka and Wes Brown struggled to keep Filippo Inzaghi in check.
Gabriel Heinze looked even more unsure and when Milan's second goal, scored by Seedorf, came from a mistake by Vidic on United's left side, it was no surprise.
United may have the Premiership for rich consolation but the fire inside Ferguson will burn as brightly as the lightning flashes in the Milan night sky as long as the quest for another European Cup goes on.
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