United caught cold by Bayern revival

It would be unfair to castigate either player unduly as Brown, in tandem with Blanc, had enjoyed a terrific evening. Meanwhile Silvestre, a half-time substitute, had supplied the cross from the left flank which allowed Ruud van Nistelrooy to volley United into the lead with 16 minutes left.

Reflecting on the late equaliser, Ferguson pointed to the fact that Carsten Jancker appeared to add a deflection which may have altered the ball's course.

But it is impossible to escape the fact that United had contributed to their own problems once more.

And they had done so in a manner unbefitting of a team chasing the opportunity to send Ferguson into retirement in the best possible fashion.

The United boss said: 'We should have won. To give away a goal like that is very disappointing. Jancker got a touch and that was crucial.' As he looks ahead to Sunday's Premiership clash with Arsenal at Highbury - and beyond that to the Champions League visit of Boavista in two weeks - Ferguson will naturally seek to accentuate the positive.

Of this there was plenty last night as his team showed the first signs of rising to the immense challenge which stands before them in Europe this term.

United approached this fixture knowing anything other than near their best would lead to defeat against the side which beat them home and away last season and were undefeated in the Champions League first phase.

Despite conceding the majority of possession and losing Ryan Giggs to a hamstring strain before kick-off which will keep him out for six weeks, United defended resolutely in the face of some precise and swift Bayern interplay. Before the goal, they were troubled only at set-pieces.

Hasan Salihamidzic went close with two headers, then almost scored on the stroke of half-time as United's attacking efforts foundered on van Nistelrooy's isolation up front.

After the interval, United sensed a weakening of German resolve and would certainly have won had Oliver Kahn not touched Roy Keane's drive on to the crossbar just a minute before the equaliser.

Van Nistelrooy's goal was a delight in creation and execution, as the Holland striker inched ahead of Bayern's defence to score.

On seeing the ball settle in the back of the goal, Ferguson was moved to celebrate with some abandon, leaping from his seat to dance in the cold night air.

Very soon, of course, he was brought back down to earth.

For Ferguson and United, it may be about to get better. But it is not right just yet.