By David Hobbs
September 15 2004

Ruud van Nistelrooy was on-hand to revive a point for Manchester United against Lyon in the opening game of the Champions League, thanks to a second half brace. He has now broken the great Dennis Law's European record of 29 goals.

Ruud Revives Point in France

Ruud van Nistelrooy was on-hand to revive a point for Manchester United against Lyon in the opening game of the Champions League, thanks to a second half brace.

French Champions Lyon were 2 nil up at half-time courtesy to terrible defensive and goalkeeping errors but Dutchman Ruud van Nistelrooy found form and struck a double goal salvo in 5 minutes to claim a point. He has now broken the great Dennis Law's European record of 29 goals.

Alan Smith was left on the bench whilst Gabriel Heinze started only his second game in a United jersey.

Sloppy mistakes in midfield from Roy Keane and Eric Djemba-Djemba epitomized United's first half display.

Tim Howard, who has produced lethargic performances of late, pulled off a bad goalkeeping mistake yet again, fumbling a free-kick which left a poaching Cris to tap Lyon into an 34th minute lead.

Ten minutes later, ex-Arsenal forward Sylvain Wiltord took advantage of John O'Shea blunder to set-up Pierre-Alain Frau who slotted past Howard. 

However, after the break United came out sharper and improved probably due to a motivational half-time talk by an unimpressed Sir Alex Ferguson.

Eleven minutes into the half van Nistelrooy struck his first of his double. The Dutchman rose high to convert a fine Cristiano Ronaldo cross.

The Portugal international winger set up van Nistelrooy 5 minutes later yet again. Hapless goalkeeper Gregory Coupet was beaten again following Ronaldo's spooned shot finding van Nistelrooy, who converted.

United transfer target Hatem Ben Afra came on to see off the game but didn't have time to impress Sir Alex Ferguson, who has been interested in the youngster. Alan Smith and Phil Neville also came on as substitutes.

Fenerbahce now top Group D following their 1-0 win over Sparta Prague in Turkey. 

Final Score: Olympique Lyonnais 2 - 2 Manchester United

Olympique Lyonnais: Coupet, Reveillere, Cris, Cacapa, Abidal, Wiltord, Essien, Juninho, Malouda, Govou, Frau.

Manchester United: Howard, O'Shea, Brown, Silvestre, Heinze, Ronaldo, Keane, Djemba-Djemba, Giggs, Scholes, van Nistelrooy

 

 

Full Time - Manchester United 3 (5) -0 (1) Dinamo Bucharest

Manchester United: Howard , G Neville (P.Neville) , Spector , Silvestre , O'Shea , Eagles , Kleberson , Djemba-Djemba , Fletcher , Ronaldo (Richardson) , Smith (Bellion) 

Dinamo Bucharest: Munteanu , Irimia , Iordache , Galamaz , Semeghin , Petre , Margaritescu , Naidin , Grigorie , Danciulescu , Niculescu 

Referee: Markus Merk (Germany)