Van Persie hat-trick secures United progress

A hat-trick from Robin van Persie helped secure Manchester United’s progress into the Champions League quarter finals, as the Premier League side beat Olympiakos 3-0 at Old Trafford yesterday evening.

United, who needed to win by a three goal margin in order to remain in the competition, took the lead on twenty-five minutes when Van Persie converted a penalty he himself had won, after being barged in the back by Jose Holebas.

The Greek champions nearly levelled on the night, though David De Gea kept them at bay with a fine double save first from David Fuster, and then Alejandro Dominguez.

Van Persie then doubled the hosts lead on the stroke of half time, before completing his treble six minutes into the second half with a free-kick from twenty yards.

David Moyes’ men hung on to secure a much needed victory, though the night was somewhat marred by an injury to Van Perise, who was stretchered off with a suspected knee problem in stoppage time.

United will discover who they will face from Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint Germain Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and holders Bayern Munich, when the draw for the last eight is made on Friday afternoon.