Bolt, Owen, Pique & more: Twitter reacts to Man United’s draw in Madrid

Danny Welbeck’s first-half strike helped Manchester United secure a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

Former Red Devils star Cristiano Ronaldo levelled in the 30th minute before United’s prolific Robin van Persie missed a great chance to seal an away win for the visitors in the second half.

Here is the best of the Twitter reaction from the professionals, both past and present, to a memorable European night in chronological order.

Former United defender Paul McGrath (‏@Paulmcgrath5) is predicting a United victory: “Manchester United to beat Real Madrid 2-1 – come on Fergie, job to do, let’s get it done!”

Stoke City striker Michael Owen ‏(@themichaelowen) knew he was right to hail his former team-mate as world class after David De Gea denies Fabio Coentrao: “Unbelievable save by De Gea. I know I’m right when I say he is top class. You wait to see how good he is in five years.”

Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale (‏@stockogk1313) agrees with Owen: “What a save!”

Former Valencia midfielder Gaizka Mendieta (@GaizkaMendieta6) reckons United’s back four will struggle: “I don’t think Man United defenders can handle the pace & mobility of @realmadrid strikers however Man United strikers pose no threat…yet! #UCL”

Olympic champions Usain Bolt ‏(@usainbolt) celebrates Welbeck’s goal: “Gooaaaaaaaal!! #ManchesterUnited #ChampionsLeague”

Newcastle United defender Danny Simpson (‏@dannysimpson) is pleased for his fellow Englishman: “Danny Welbeck my boy.. I love that! Buzzing for him!”

West Brom keeper Ben Foster ‏(@BenFoster) is happy for his former club: “Go on Wellbinho! #mufc needed that away goal.”

Former Aston Villa striker Stan Collymore (‏@StanCollymore) is glad to see Welbeck answer his critics: “Chuffed for Welbeck. Gets way too much unjustified stick. All-round game developing nicely. Unfair comparisons with more vaunted colleagues.”

Ajax striker Ryan Babel (‏@RyanBabel) misses playing with his former Liverpool team-mate Xabi Alonso: “Xabi Alonso pff… I enjoyed playing together with him…”

Ex-Real Madrid midfielder Guti (‏@GUTY14HAZ) approves of Ronaldo’s leveller: “Golazo CR7!”

BBC’s Mark Bright (‏@Mark__Bright) felt Patrice Evra could have done more to deny Ronaldo: “Evra,get your arms out, make an effort and jump for crying out loud… free header in the box, not acceptable.”

England legend Gary Lineker (‏@GaryLineker) reckons Ronaldo could be the best header of the ball in the world: “Alongside all his obvious brilliance, is there a better header of the ball in world football than Ronaldo? #cabezon”

Birmingham defender Curtis Davies ‏(@thecurtisdavies) reckons Ronaldo belongs in the NBA: “Cristiano is new Air Jordan #hangtime”

Former Chelsea midfielder Jody Morris ‏(@morriskid) is particularly impressed by Mesut Ozil: “Some player is Ozil!”

Reading’s Garath McCleary (‏@gmccleary12) agrees: “I don’t know how #mesutozil doesn’t get #madratings he is a genius!”

QPR’s Chris Samba (‏@cs4christsamba1) highlights his former team-mate Phil Jones as one of the star performers in the tie: “Who can stop Ronaldo in this form? Great player, Man United are holding up well against him, my old team-mate Phil Jones doing ok!”

Former Sunderland midfielder Michael Gray (‏@mickygray33) doesn’t feel Ferguson’s tactics suit Robin van Persie: “Van Persie is living off scraps… Valencia on the right, Rooney through the middle #championsleague”

Even German tennis star Boris Becker ‏(@Becker_Boris) knows Van Persie should have sunk his second-half chance: “RVP should have scored!!!”

Ex-England rugby player Matt Dawson (‏@matt9dawson) agrees: “How has RVP scuffed that!! #shinner”

Former Ipswich Town midfielder Matt Holland ‏(@mattholland8) was impressed by United’s young guns: “The “young ones” were excellent tonight – De Gea, Jones and Welbeck all superb. Great result and as I called it.”

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique ‏(@gerardpique) is surely supporting his old club: “I loved to watch a game like this! It could end 3-3 easily! We’ll see who wins at Old Trafford! #ChampionsLeague”

Finally, former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann ‏(@DietmarHamann) reckons both Borussia Dortmund and United will be happy with a score draw: “Great results again for both away teams …De Gea outstanding and Götze from Dortmund got the world at his feet …What a talent.”