Hello, and welcome to our liveblog of tonight’s game.

With just under an hour before kick-off, the teams have already been announced:

MAN UNITED: De Gea, Jones, Ferdinand, Vidic, Büttner, Valencia, Carrick, Fellaini, Giggs, Rooney, Welbeck.

BAYERN: Neuer; Rafinha, Boateng, Martinez, Alaba; Robben, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Kroos, Muller, Ribery.

Some pre-match reading for you:

• Steven O’Rourke looks at the importance of the ‘silencing of Lahm’ in order for United to have any hope of success in this tie.
• Ryan Giggs insists that United are not underdogs in this particular game.
• Pep Guardiola discusses whether or not he was actually offered the United job in the wake of Fergie’s retirement.
• And finally, inexperienced United defender Alexander Buttner says he will embrace the challenge of marking Arjen Robben tonight.

There’s been some memorable games between these two teams over the years. Who could forget this one?

United fans might be nervous about the prospect of Büttner having to mark Robben, but these clashes don’t always turn out as expected.

We’re underway…

So low is the level of expectation that United have been priced as high as 8/1 to win tonight by some outlets.

Bayern weren’t completely convincing against Arsenal, so they may have a better chance than people think.

Robben crosses in into the box, but Buttner shows good calmness under pressure to collect the ball and clear.

Meanwhile, down the other end, Welbeck smashes the ball into the net, but it’s ruled out, as his foot was too high/close to the defender’s head as he attempted to control it.

Arjen Robben has just curled a shot marginally wide.

As I type, Neuer dwells on the ball a bit too long and almost creates a chance for United.

It’s been a very lively, fast-paced opening to this game.

Ribery crosses to Muller, but the attacker fails to properly connect with the cross.

This isn’t quite as bad as the Man City game in terms of United’s start, but they still look more than a little vulnerable at the back.

Valencia has just been booked for a late tackle on Lahm.

The Bayern players reacted very quickly to that, thereby pressurising the referee into brandishing the yellow card.

United have been criticised for an over-reliance on crosses into the box, but Bayern have caused them to defend more than a few in these opening stages.

They are now well in control, despite a brief period of encouragement for United in the opening minutes.

Ominously for United, Bayern have looked more dominant and at ease as this game’s progressed, with the English side struggling to retain possession.

It looks like it’s going to be a long, nerve-ridden night for David Moyes’ men, with the home side playing in a conspicuously cautious manner.

De Gea has had to make a good save, after another curling shot from Robben.

They’re getting closer.

Fellaini pulls back to Rooney, whose shot is blocked, following a rare United attack.

Down the other end, Jones slips while trying to clear the ball, but luckily for the hosts, it narrowly eludes the onrushing attacker.

For all their pressure, Bayern have yet to create a clear-cut chance, while United have looked threatening on the rare occasions that they’ve managed to get the ball in Bayern’s final third.

So it’s not all doom and gloom for David Moyes’ men.

Unbelievable! Wayne Rooney plays Danny Welbeck through on goal, but his woeful attempt to chip the goalkeeper is easily saved.

United may well rue that missed opportunity.

This game is not dissimilar to those famous Barca-Chelsea Champions League encounters of recent years, with United obviously in the Chelsea role.

Like Barca in those games, Bayern have dominated possession while still looking somewhat susceptible on the counter-attack.

Welbeck wins the ball on the edge of the box and he passes to Valencia, whose shot is deflected just over.

More encouraging signs for United.

HALF-TIME: MAN UNITED 0-0 BAYERN MUNICH

So all things considered, not the worst first half for United by any means.

Bayern have unsurprisingly dominated possession, but the hosts have defended well and should be one-up, after Welbeck missed that gilt-edged opportunity.

Another significant test awaits for Moyes’ men as they will inevitably tire in the latter stages, having not had hold of the ball.

But they can be satisfied for now with what is an improved display when measured against their recent games with City and Liverpool.

If looks could kill…

The second half has begun…

EMPICS Sport EMPICS Sport

The two managers were in good form just prior to kick off.

Neuer clearly is from the Hugo Lloris school of goalkeeping.

He abruptly sprints way off his line to clear the ball and avert any potential danger.

Ferdinand does well to block a Robben shot on the edge of the area.

The United defence, unlike in many games this season, has done relatively well so far, despite a few scares early on.

GOAL FOR MAN UNITED!

Man United 1-0 Bayern: A corner is played in and a completely unmarked Nemanja Vidic heads it expertly into the corner of the net (56 mins).

The upset is on!

Here’s the goal that’s put United in the lead…

Barcelona 0-1 Atletico: Old Trafford isn’t the only place where an upset is on the cards, as Diego has put Atletico ahead on 56 minutes.

United have had 31% of the possession, according to ITV, which is up slightly from 22% at half-time.

GOAL FOR BAYERN!

Man United 1-1 Bayern: A deep cross is headed down by Mandzukic into the path of Schweinsteiger, who gives De Gea no chance with a consummate finish on the volley (66 mins).

Big blow for United, as Bayern grab the away goal.

A small statistic that will be of some comfort to United fans — they haven’t lost this seasons in games that they’ve taken the lead.

Meanwhile, Gotze looks set to come on for Bayern.

Antonio Valencia is a very lucky boy!

He’s already on a yellow card and he dives into a challenge rashly. The referee awards the free kick but neglects to punish him further.

In addition, Gotze is now on for Kroos, while Ashley Young has come on for the injured Buttner, as United reshuffle with Valencia going to right-back and Jones slotting in at left-back.

It’s now Barcelona 1-1 Atletico, with Neymar equalising for the hosts (71 mins).

Meanwhile, Robben has struck a shot narrowly wide from just inside the box.

Here’s a look at that beautifully-executed Schweinsteiger finish.

Just over five minutes of normal time remain. Can United win it?

Welbeck is replaced by Hernandez, who is no stranger to scoring important late goals.

Bayern looking the more likely to score in these dying stages.

It would seem reasonable to assume that both sides will be relatively happy with this result. For united, it’s a creditable display amid a season of adversity, while Bayern will know they’ll go into the second leg as overwhelming favourites.

RED CARD FOR SCHWINSTEIGER!

The German midfielder receives his second yellow card of the night and is consequently dismissed, following a late challenge on Rooney.

He gives out to Rooney for supposedly exaggerating the contact, but it seemed fair judging by the replay.

Javi Martinez will also miss the second leg, after picking up another booking tonight.

FULL-TIME: MAN UNITED 1-1 BAYERN

FULL-TIME: BARCELONA 1-1 ATLETICO

In contrast with the last round, the second legs are going to be anything but dead rubbers this time around.

Right, that’s all from me for now, but we have plenty of reaction to come.

Thanks for reading and commenting.