Manchester United 2 Aalborg 2:Alex Ferguson's side finished top of Group E despite having to settle for a point against the plucky Danish raiders at Old Trafford. Wayne Rooney pulled United level after Aalborg had come back from a goal down to take a shock lead before half-time.
Headed goals from Michael Jakobsen and Jeppe Curth turned the game on its head after Carlos Tevez had opened the scoring.
Alex Ferguson gave Republic of Ireland midfielder Darron Gibson his first Champions League start in a much-changed line-up as Rio Ferdinand and Rooney were the only survivors from the side that secured a last-gasp victory against Sunderland at the weekend.
Ferguson saw his side make the perfect start with Ryan Giggs clipping the ball forward in the third minute after being released by Rooney.
Tevez took full advantage, rifling a shot into the corner beyond goalkeeper Karim Zaza. The Argentine should have extended United's lead two minutes later but dragged his effort wide from close range after being set up by Rooney.
United kept up the pressure and Jonny Evans scooped a shot over the bar after Gibson had played the ball back to the defender.
Giggs sent Nani clear in the 27th minute but his effort found the side netting before Aalborg grabbed a shock equaliser.
Jakobsen peeled away from his marker six minutes later as Anders Due delivered a free-kick to send a header beyond Tomasz Kuszczak.
John O'Shea elected to pass to Rooney instead of trying his luck on goal before Aalborg went in front in stoppage time.
Curth was the first to react when Due delivered the cross to head home and give the visitors a 2-1 lead.
Ferguson, no doubt displeased at seeing his side lose the lead, made a double substitution at the start of the second half with Paul Scholes and Ji-Sung Park replacing Giggs and Gibson.
And the home side dew level after 52 minutes, when a defence-splitting pass from Anderson released Rooney and his low drive flew into the net beyond Zaza.
Meanwhile, Republic of Ireland midfielder Aiden McGeady made a goalscoring return as Celtic secured their first win in Europe this season at the final attempt with a 2-0 victory over Villarreal at Parkhead.
The impressive McGeady, making his first start after more than five weeks out with knee trouble, fired home from 20 yards in first-half injury-time against 10-man Villarreal.
The Spaniards, who were already through to the last 16, had Guille Franco sent off after Shaun Maloney's headed opener.
