LONDON — A good week for English clubs in the Champions League. What many observers believe is the weakest Manchester United side in almost 20 years still beat AC Milan 7-2 on aggregate, while Arsenal, which always seem a work in progress, thumped FC Porto 5-0 at Emirates Stadium.
In Spain, Cristiano Ronaldo and his fellow Real Madrid galacticos were dumped out of the competition by Lyon, adding to the belief that when you leave Old Trafford the only way is down.
United was awesome against the Milan pensioners and it says everything about the visitors that their most effective player was the returning hero David Beckham, who came on in the 64th-minute to a standing ovation.