The Botanic Inn in south Belfast was literally submerged in a sea of red jerseys. There was only a mere sprinkling of Chelsea fans manoeuvring their way through the growing mass of 'Red Devils'.

"Glory, glory Man United" chants could be heard from the streets as what appeared to be an equal measure of male and females filed into the bar.

It is fair to say supporter representation was very much one sided, although one Blues' fan, 19- year-old William Haighton, proclaimed it was "class" to be in the minority on the big night.

When asked why he chose to stand in a heaving bar, rather watch the match from the comfort of his own home, 31-year-old United supporter Ed Montgomery said: "It's all about the atmosphere."

Self-confessed 'Supporter WAG' Erin Gillespie echoed Ed's sentiment, and said she followed the Reds mainly because her dad was a massive fan, " but Ronaldo is very sexy."

As the teams walking out on the pitch beamed across the large screens, a wall of cheers welcomed the man leading the United team, Rio Ferdinand. Promptly followed by chilling boos when Chelsea manager Avram Grant flashed up on the screens. Frank Lampard was afforded a similar honour.

When the starting whistle was blown, all fans joined in a customary cheer, then all eyes were fixed on the game.

Downstairs at the Red Devil Bar on the Falls Road, it appeared to be a more reserved occasion, until you followed the pounding bellows up the narrow staircase to a room filled with 50 ardent Manchester followers, all gazing intently at a six-foot screen.

The place erupted when Ronaldo scored, then went into a deflated state after Frank Lampard's equaliser for Chelsea.

Then came the Blues' dominance, the rattling (twice) of the United woodwork, the extra time — and that nail-shredding shootout.

But you couldn't hear yourself think when United keeper Edwin Van Der Sar saved that penalty — no doubt a familiar scenario across the world.