Ten-man United knocked out by Ronaldo at Old Trafford

A night that began with the shock of Wayne Rooney’s omission, ended in bitter frustration and recrimination as Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo sent Real Madrid into the last eight with a 2-1 win, an aggregate of 3-2.

It was the controversial dismissal of Nani for a second-half foul on Alvaro Arbeloa that was the talking point. At the time, United were leading through Sergio Ramos’s own-goal and 2-1 up in the tie.

The pivotal decision of Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir turned all those hopes to dust, left Rio Ferdinand applauding sarcastically after it was all over and Jose Mourinho celebrating, the former Chelsea boss offering a fuming Sir Alex Ferguson a consoling pat before heading down the tunnel before the final whistle.

Though opportunities for both sides were limited, Ryan Giggs did find time to get forward, delivering one brilliant cross for Robin van Persie, whose acrobatic attempt to finish was blocked by Sergio Ramos.

If Giggs excelled, Danny Welbeck was the biggest threat, just as he had been in the first-leg.

His running from deep positions caused Real a problem, especially out wide.

It was Welbeck who provided that crossing opportunity for Giggs, having earlier presented Nani with a similar chance, which Fabio Coentrao flicked away before the veteran Welshman could pounce.

The one flaw in Welbeck’s game is a lack of goals. His effort in Spain was one of only two this season, and twice he wasted openings to break the deadlock.

The first came after Nemanja Vidic soared to meet Van Persie’s corner, only for his thundering header to cannon back off a post, straight to Welbeck, who prodded the rebound straight at Diego Lopez.

Welbeck’s second chance was also on the rebound, after Lopez had parried an instinctive effort from Van Persie.

The England man should have made Lopez work. Instead he drove his shot into the ground, which allowed the visitors’ goalkeeper to save.

United led when Rafael’s surge to the edge of the box had Real floundering and although Van Persie’s shot was deflected away from goal, Nani had the awareness and strength to shrug Raphael Varane off it.

Welbeck got the faintest of touches to the Portugal winger’s cross but it was enough to ensure Ramos’s was firm enough to send it rolling into the net. It all looked to be going to so well.

And then the roof caved in as Nani challenged Arbeloa for a bouncing ball inside his own half, deemed dangerous by Cakir.

Nani was incredulous. Ferguson went ballistic.

Though they hung on grimly, with Rafael seeming to keep a goalbound Higuain header out with his arm, it took the visitors just 11 minutes to turn the entire tie on its head.

Modric struck first, with a viciously curling effort from 25 yards. Three minutes later Mesut Ozil found Higuain, whose cross was turned home at the far post by Ronaldo.