It's been 9 years since Nani was sent off vs Real Madrid in 'one of the biggest robberies ever'

On March 5, 2022, Manchester United were knocked out of the Champions League in controversial fashion.

Their last-16 tie with Real Madrid was finely poised after the first leg in Spain ended in a 1-1 draw.

United looked on course for a place in the quarter-finals after Sergio Ramos’ own-goal just after half-time.

But the tie was transformed after Luis Nani was sent off in the 56th minute.

Nani had his eyes on the ball when he made contact with Alvaro Arbeloa in the chest.

The referee, Cuneyt Cakir’s, blew his whistle for a foul, and rightly so. But he then shocked everyone associated with the Red Devils inside Old Trafford when he produced a red card.

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United’s players fiercely protested the decision. Sir Alex Ferguson was bursting with anger on the sidelines.

But their protests were to no avail and United were reduced to 10 men. Relive the moment again below…

Today makes it 9 years since one if the biggest robberies in UCL history happened — Luis Nani unjustifiably sent off against Real Madrid in a game Man Utd were controlling.

Can remember Sir Alex fuming. Still hurts.pic.twitter.com/349wIOTc0J

They couldn’t hold on, with two goals in three minutes, scored by Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo, sending United out of the competition.

Nine years have now passed since the incident and United fans are still fuming. View some of the reaction below…

That proved to be the last game Ferguson ever managed in the Champions League.

He refused to do any interviews after the game, with Mike Phelan handling post-match media duties. The Scotsman was subsequently fined €10,000 by UEFA.

Real Madrid went on to make the semi-finals, where they were knocked out by Borussia Dortmund.

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