SCHOLES EARNS UNITED ILL-DESERVED POINT

The diminutive England international drove home through a desperate melee to earn an ill-deserved point for United in injury-time, after the Greek side had squandered several opportunities to put the game out of the The Red Devils` reach.

For 80 minutes of the match, Panathinaikos had outplayed and out-thought their esteemed visitors - with youngster Derek Boateng producing a display of skill and pace that rocked Wes Brown and Jaap Stam in the United defence.

Youngster Yourkas Seitaridis grabbed the opening goal for the Greek side in the 22nd minute, and, but for the brilliant Fabien Barthez in the United goal would have gone on to a convincing win.

In the first-half, a nervous Manchester United had been handed a footballing lesson by their Greek opposition - and but for sterling work by Mikael Silvestre could easily have found themselves further behind than the 1-0 deficit they escaped with.

Goran Vlaovic had given early notice of intent when he flashed a free-kick narrowly wide of Barthez's post, but, momentarily settled by a similarly-close effort from Paul Scholes, the English champions did not learn from their mistake.

A few bright sparks from United had suggested that nerves would be settled, only for a mix-up between Gary Neville and Barthez to raise home hopes once more.

Indeed with only 22 minutes gone, Panathinaikos grabbed the goal they deserved, when a quickly taken short free-kick gave Seitaridis a site of goal - and the Greek slammed past an unsighted Barthez.

An awful offside decision stopped a promising attack from developing for Panathinaikos, before Gary Neville found himself handed the best chance for United.

Dwight Yorke slotted the right back in with eight minutes left of the half, only for the England international to find his weak effort stopped well at close-range by Antonis Nikopolidis.

Vlaovic was enjoying his game, and the Croatian brought a great save from Barthez when he attempted an audacious and unerringly-accurate shot from the angle that the French goalkeeper tipped over.

However, the Greeks were left ruing a far worse miss, when Nikos Liberoupoulos raced through but bizarrely chose to pass to Vlaovic rather than shoot himself, and the linesman raised his flag as the ball was released.

The second-half saw more of the same from both sides - scintillating attacking from the Greeks, and inept defending from United.

Click here for the report from the other Group A game - which Valencia won 5-0.

Silvestre provided a little early relief for the visiting fans when he drove from the back and slid in Scholes, only for his team-mate to shoot into Nikopolidis' hands.

But normal service was resumed when Giorgis Karagounis hit a lovely drive which Barthez was equal to.

Perhaps the most glorious opportunity was missed by the otherwise brilliant Boateng, when he found himself one-on-one with Barthez but found the custodian down quickly when he chose to shoot across the goal.

Five minutes later and Barthez was called into action again, blocking another one-on-one from Angelos Basinas after a lightning break.

With the Greek side looking nervously at the clock, United threw on the old war horses of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Teddy Sheringham and immediately The Red Devils` game picked up.

Sheringham had a good chance with his header, but showing less than his usual aerial ability the veteran steered his effort far too close to Nikopolidis.

But United have proved time-and-time again that you discount them at your peril in the final stages, and with injury time entered, Scholes found a yard of space in a packed and desperate area to lash home and silence the vociferous home fans.

The result, however ignominious, all-but guarantees United's progression - with Sturm Graz needing a 2-0 victory at Old Trafford to pip the English Champions to the next round.

Click here to see our exclusive Opta Stats from Panathinaikos v Manchester United

Click here for the match report from the other Group A game - which saw Valencia beat Sturm Graz 5-0