With obscene haste, Manchester United's pursuit of the European Cup is in danger of being ended before they have even worked up a stitch. The English champions left Brussels last night with their chances of qualifying for the Champions League second phase looking increasingly precarious after this vapid defeat.
Alex Ferguson's team must now beat Dynamo Kiev in the final game of Group G if they are to progress. Otherwise the best English football can offer will be forced to plot a course in the UEFA Cup.
Having failed to glean more than a single point from their previous excursions against PSV Eindhoven and Dynamo Kiev, however, United have found their route lined with diversions. Anderlecht, playing with a self-assurance that comes from protecting a 100 per cent home record, ensured there would be a wrong turn or two here.
This flat-pack ground was drenched with a feverish expectation, the atmosphere intimate and intimidating. If David Beckham had collected the coins thrown at him every time he took a corner, he could have had a field day at duty free.
United also had to contend with the human mountain that is Jan Koller who, at 6ft 8in with size-17 boots, makes Jaap Stam resemble a jump jockey. On the sort of pitch that suggested the groundsman may have used grazing cattle to trim the grass, this was one of those nights when he threatened to trample anything that got in his way.
Only a fine interception from Mickael Silvestre denied the marauding Czech international an early chance from Tomasz Radzinski's layback and, as United struggled to find any momentum, their hosts threatened to overwhelm them.
After 15 minutes the Belgians' pressure paid off. Yves Vanderhaeghe's ball caught the United defence flat-footed and Radzinski, apparently offside, ran unchallenged into the penalty area before finishing with a precise left-foot shot into the top right-hand corner of Fabien Barthez's net.
It could have been worse, and almost immediately. Bart Goor's cross caught Silvestre hopelessly - and not unpredictably - out of position and Koller lashed a venomous haymaker towards goal that Barthez managed to beat out.
The pattern had been set for the opening half and United did not gather their senses until Anderlecht had scored again, Koller breaking down the right before whipping in a low cross that Radzinski expertly turned in from the edge of the penalty area.
United were stumbling around with an intoxicated air, but their first potent move paid dividends only two minutes later. Dwight Yorke linked with Andy Cole and as the England striker held off two challenges his run was unceremoniously halted by Glen de Boeck's tackle from behind. Despite slipping at the crucial moment, Denis Irwin converted the penalty and the visitors had been thrown a lifeline.
They re-emerged after the break with greater purpose, but with Beckham and Ryan Giggs playing only peripheral roles and Yorke and Cole rarely displaying the understanding of old there was more slack defending than slick attacking going on.
Radzinksi, in particular, was revelling in the visitors' anxiety. The Mounties may always get their man, but United simply could not get hold of the Canadian striker.
Anderlecht: De Wilde, Vanderhaeghe, De Boeck, Staelens, Goor, Koller, Dheedene, Baseggio, Stoica (Oyen 81), Radzinski (Dindane 90), Crasson. Subs Not Used: Milojevic, Ilic, Doll, Youla, Mbemba. Booked: Oyen. Goals: Radzinski 15, 34.
Man Utd: Barthez, G Neville, Irwin (Solskjaer 79), Johnsen, Beckham, Butt, Cole, Giggs, Scholes, Yorke, Silvestre (Brown 63). Subs Not Used: Van Der Gouw, P Neville, Wallwork, Fortune, Greening. Booked: G Neville, Scholes, Butt. Goals: Irwin 36 pen.
Referee: S Braschi (Italy).
