Daily Telegraph : United undone as Fenerbahce bask in their deflected glory OLD TRAFFORD became the Theatre of Broken Dreams last night, cries of disbelief and dismay rising from thousands of throats as Manchester United surrendered their 40-year unbeaten home record in Europe,writes Henry Winter. Few of the 53,323 present could believe the nightmare unfolding in front of them. They watched transfixed as Elvir Bolic's 77th-minute shot deflected horribly off David May over Peter Schmeichel. Then they roared themselves hoarse as United despairingly pulled at the seams of Fenerbahce's defence, even Schmeichel joining the attacks, but to no avail. Recent years had hinted at the identity of United's eventual nemesis. What Galatasaray threatened three years ago, their Turkish neighbours completed last night, albeit highly fortuitously. Recent weeks had intimated the manner of United's demise, the ball looping mockingly over Schmeichel, who must wonder what next is to fly over him. Stunned by football's fickle fortunes, United's supporters stumbled out into the cold night, aware that qualifying from Group C is suddenly not such a straightforward proposition. With Juventus beating Rapid Vienna 5-0, so qualifying for the quarter-finals, the Group C focus rests solely on the chase for second place. Fenerbahce's success takes them to four points, two behind United, who have to entertain Juventus and then travel to Vienna. "The second place is free," Sebastiao Lazaroni, Fenerbahce's Brazilian coach, said. United were all graft and little craft where it would hurt the visitors Yet the force still rests with the suddenly vulnerable Englishmen, particularly as if they finish level on points, United's extra goal against Fenerbahce (having won 2-0 in Istanbul) will prove crucial. These are tense days ahead for Alex Ferguson's men, their obsession with Europe becoming almost a millstone. How strange this world must seem to Ferguson. A fortnight ago, his players returned from Istanbul following a fine victory. Now, on the eve of his 10th anniversary in charge at Old Trafford, he has seen his team lose three important games, two in the Premiership and this Champions' League fixture. "It's an ironic life," Ferguson reflected. "You prepare to celebrate 10 years at a club and you lose the European record. We didn't deserve to lose." How true. But they hardly deserved to win. Whereas Newcastle enjoy a surfeit of centre-forward options, United are almost devoid of choices. Leaving Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on the bench was a bizarre move, one which backfired as United were all build-up and no finish. United resembled trick-or-treaters who ran up paths but never knocked on doors. United played nervously, unsure of their attacking outlet. Ferguson had said his men had not been dwelling on their Premiership troubles, although Schmeichel has apparently been receiving letters with "5-0" and "6-3" scribbled on the envelopes. As if United needed any further reminding of the upsets at St James' and the Dell, their 400-odd Turkish guests obliged by chanting "Newcastle" and "Southampton". Grouped around a 4-3-3 formation which again failed to bring the best out of Eric Cantona, United lacked punch. Cantona, so influential when dropping deep or wide, is not an orthodox centre-forward. So often the attacking catalyst, Cantona was here expected to create and finish, a theory that had failed against Juventus. Even when the ball did drop his way twice in the first half, his accuracy let him down. United were all graft and little craft where it would hurt the visitors. Nicky Butt and Roy Keane toiled hard, and Ronny Johnsen worked manfully, but what United needed was a pilot to navigate a route through the Turkish defence. Initially as subdued as the fans' mood, the champions livened up after the break, strong words from Ferguson doubtless stil stinging their ears. Gone were the tentative build-ups. Gone was the sight of Cantona stranded alone in attack. Passion and width were now the order of the day. Cantona dropped deep and United briefly resembled a more dangerous force. Butt and Jordi Cruyff both had chances but United were unleashing their efforts from too far out. These moments of great hope disappeared in one devastating moment. With United committed to attack, Fenerbahce hit on the break. When Bolic acquired possession just outside Schmeichel's box,the danger still appeared containable. The Bosnian striker had done little to suggest he was the attacking force his domestic record suggested. But his shot from 20 yards caught May and swept over Schmeichel. Misfortune had again subsumed the Double-winners.