Half-Time Report: Robin van Persie brace cancels out first-leg deficit

Two goals from Robin van Persie have cancelled out Olympiacos's first-leg lead over Manchester United in the Champions League this evening.

The visitors started brightly as Jose Holebas beat Rafael to send in a dangerous-looking cross, only for Phil Jones to make the clearance.

Wayne Rooney came within inches of breaking the deadlock, as the striker tried to head in from close range but was denied by the post.

However, the hosts were able to open the scoring shortly after, when Van Persie was brought down by Holebas in the penalty area, allowing the Dutchman to convert from the spot.

The goal seemed to lift United, as Rooney and Van Persie teamed up on a number of occasions to press for the second, while a corner from the goalscorer almost gave Patrice Evra the goal, but Roberto Gago tipped his header over.

David de Gea had to make a double save late on to prevent the Greek champions for adding an away goal, denying a David Fuster header, before Alejandro Dominguez saw the rebound stopped too.

Van Persie and Rooney linked up one last time before the half-time whistle, setting the former up for his second goal of the night, as he calmly slotted in from his teammate's cross to level the tie on aggregate.