Arjen Robben’s spectacular late strike wrecked Manchester United’s hopes of reaching a third successive Champions League final as he sent Bayern Munich through on away goals at Old Trafford.

The former Chelsea star rifled in a magnificent volley from Franck Ribery’s corner with 16 minutes left to stun United after they looked to be cruising into the semi-finals as they went 3-0 up before the interval to establish a two-goal aggregate lead.

Robben capped a dismal week for United that has seen them lose the Premier League leadership and crash out of the Champions League – also ending English interest in the tournament after Arsenal’s exit against Barcelona.

Wayne Rooney was in Sir Alex Ferguson’s starting line-up as he completed a remarkable recovery from the ankle ligament injury he sustained in Bayern’s 2-1 win against United in the Allianz Arena eight days ago.

And he was quickly a thorn in Bayern’s side, setting up Darron Gibson’s opener after just three minutes. United looked on course for the last four when Nani turned in Antonio Valencia’s cross four minutes later to put them ahead in the tie.

Bayern were being run ragged and Nani capped United’s complete supremacy when he scored his second and their third as half-time approached – but the whole mood and shape of the tie was turned when Ivica Olic took advantage of poor defending to bundle home a crucial goal before the interval.

Louis van Gaal’s side suddenly discovered hope, and a measure of composure, their cause being helped when Rafael was sent off after 50 minutes following his second yellow card for a foul on Ribery.

Ferguson responded by replacing Rooney, who had been limping heavily earlier, with John O’Shea, but the momentum had swung dramatically to Bayern and Robben’s wonder goal capped a period of pressure.

United had no Rooney to call on for the finale and they did not have the inspiration to mount a trademark late surge as the Premier League’s last representative went out of a tournament in which they have exerted so much influence in recent seasons.

Ferguson must now gather his team for a final assault on a fourth successive title, but there is no doubt they have taken three heavy blows as they attempt to add more silverware to the Carling Cup won against Aston Villa.

And he will also hope Rooney has not sustained further damage to his ankle in this lost cause.

Rooney’s presence was greeted with a thunderous roar at Old Trafford – and he was swiftly involved as United made the dream start by taking the lead after only three minutes. He found Gibson, whose right-foot shot from the edge of the box appeared to deceive Hans-Jorg Butt as it flew in.

Bayern were reeling under the weight of United’s barrage and they doubled their lead four minutes later when Valencia tormented Holger Badstuber and crossed for Nani to flick his finish beyond Butt and into the far corner.

If Bayern had any plans to contain United, they were in tatters and their shredded nerves were in evidence again when a wild clearance from Butt almost let in Carrick, but his shot flew wide.

Rooney had shown little ill-effects from his injury in the early stages, but a gasp of anxiety swept around the stadium when he emerged from a tackle limping heavily. It was several minutes before he was able to run freely once more, signalling to the relieved United bench that he was able to continue.

Rafael had snuffed out the threat of Ribery in the first half, and was also able to join in United’s attacking efforts. He was guilty, however, of wasting a perfect opportunity to increase United’s advantage after 34 minutes when he raced clear into the box, only to fire across the face of goal with Rooney unmarked and perfectly placed, waiting in vain for the pass that never came.

Bayern finally posed a threat when Van der Sar was forced to plunge bravely at the feet of Olic in United’s first serious moment of danger.

United’s response was instant and emphatic as Nani added their third four minutes before the interval. Valencia, who had given Badstuber a torrid time, was the creator again with a cross that went behind Rooney but fell into the path of Nani, who confidently swept his finish high past Butt.

As United contemplated taking a three-goal lead into the interval, Bayern struck as poor defending from Michael Carrick allowed Olic to scramble a finish past Edwin Van der Sar.

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