Manchester United got thrashed 3-0 by AC Milan back in 2007 and this country loved it.

BBC: AC Milan will face Liverpool in the Champions League final after crushing Manchester United at the San Siro.

Milan started the semi-final 3-2 down but were ahead on away goals after just 11 minutes when Clarence Seedorf headed down for Kaka to drill into the corner. Seedorf capitalised on confusion in the United defence to fire in a second after half an hour and substitute Alberto Gilardino broke away to wrap up an easy win as United limped out in disappointing fashion.

The result ended United’s dreams of repeating their 1999 Treble, but they can have no complaints after being totally outclassed by their Italian opponents.

MEN: MANCHESTER United’s hopes of turning the Champions League Final into an all-English affair were brutally crushed at the San Siro as AC Milan set up a revenge attack on Liverpool.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s men chose the worst night possible to turn in one of their poorest displays of the entire campaign, with Cristiano Ronaldo among the biggest let downs. That is not to apportion blame on the young Portugal winger’s shoulders, there were plenty of others around him who did not perform either. But, without the spark Ronaldo has provided so often this season, United were a dreadful disappointment, their treble hopes shattered.

The Daily Mail: Last night, amid the wreckage of the San Siro, there was a creeping sense that the great dictator may end his 21-plus year reign stranded on one Champions League celebration.

United were obliterated by Milan’s superior verve. Remember Madrid four years ago, when Raul, Figo and Zidane subjected them to a symphony of brilliant forward play that left them swinging boots at phantoms? Last night was the re-run, with Kaka as the No 1 ghost.

This was United’s third Champions League semi-final defeat under Ferguson and was by far the most comprehensive.

Twelve months later…