From a seemingly impregnable position, three goals ahead of Bayern Munich on the night and two in front on aggregate, the Red Devils' world collapsed in a six-minute spell either side of the interval.
First-leg match-winner Ivica Olic pulled a goal back immediately before the break after Nani had followed up Darron Gibson's early opener by scoring two of his own.
The goal put doubt in United minds that turned into panic once Rafael had been sent off for a second bookable offence shortly after the restart.
United tried desperately to hang on.
Rafael's dismissal brought Rooney's involvement to an end as John O'Shea was introduced for the first time in five months to shore up the defensive gap and begin a rearguard action that required resistance to almost constant bombardment.
United tried to break. Indeed Nani nearly scored his hat-trick from one such raid, but the overwhelming pressure was one-way.Even then it took a phenomenal goal to defeat the hosts as Robben's perfectly-executed volley flew past Van der Sar into the far corner.United did not have the energy to respond.
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