CELTIC certainly gave a makeshift United side something to think about for 84 minutes, didn't they?

TOHARI: Celtic had a game plan to stifle United from the start and they stuck to it.

Even their manager Gordon Strachan admitted they are miles behind United in terms of technical ability. But in terms of this result, he will be happy to show that they are able to match the champions of Europe with their resilience.

Celtic's 13th-minute lead gave them something to hold on to. So, they basically defended deep, played a pressing game and were determined not to get outrun by United.

If they had played an open game, Celtic would definitely have been butchered.

But the early lead also meant that, with United's quality, it was only a matter of time before Celtic couldn't keep up and concede an equaliser.

Just look at the second half, it was all United. The statistics don't lie: United had 30 shots and 74 per cent possession. Surely they did not deserve to lose.

United just didn't give up. Even after a late equaliser at an away game, they still tried to go for a winner. It was just unfortunate Dimitar Berbatov failed to score with the last kick of the game.

AHH...Celtic's goal. That was a sensational lob by Scott McDonald to open the scoring for the Hoops. What do you make of that one?

IT WAS truly a world-class goal and you have to appreciate the execution of the finish.

However, I have to say Michael Carrick is at fault for this one. In this piece of play, Carrick was the stand-in right-back, but totally failed to pick up McDonald when the ball was headed back into the box.

Worse, Rio Ferdinand was also caught napping.

But what incredible composure and quality McDonald displayed to catch Ben Foster off his line from inside the box, an absolute beauty.

CRISTIANO Ronaldo was also in the thick of things on the other end. Is the Cocky One back at his menacing best?

ALTHOUGH he did not score, Ronaldo has used this game to showcase what he is all about.

Everytime he gets the ball, it looks like something exciting is going to happen. That is how influential Ronaldo is. In fact, you could call the second half the Ronaldo Show.

His variety of movements and unpredictable behaviour helped him to get out of sticky situations, even when he is surrounded by Celtic defenders, into dangerous positions.

Ronaldo also played a critical role in getting United's equaliser, taking the responsibility to fire from range, packing in so much power and swerve in his shot that Artur Boruc could only parry for Giggs to head home.

So, bad news for United's rivals, Ronaldo is truly back.

ARE United good enough to defend their Champions League title, based on the performance of this makeshift side?

THEY are almost as good as through to the next round, and despite being so formidable, United look like they could still improve.

The Champions League is all about depth, and how to rotate your squad such that players are not burnt out playing both in their domestic leagues and in Europe.

United appear very strong in this aspect. Fringe players such as Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick, Nani and even Ryan Giggs are chipping in with goals. Any player from their squad can contribute goals to their cause. This is very important.

And when Sir Alex Ferguson can call upon the likes of Berbatov and Wayne Rooney from the bench when the chips are down says a lot about their strength in depth.

Also, the foundation is there as the Red Devils are ever-present in the Champions League, so they've got plenty of European experience, even winning it twice.

The bottomline? Never count United out of the running.