DOWN BUT NOT QUITE OUT

The first leg of the Champions League quarter-final fixtures saw both Arsenal and Man United lose their two most preternatural talents – Rooney and Fabregas. They both scored, limped off the pitch and, although Rooney has an outside chance of making the return leg, Fabregas will be suspended and watching from the stands having picked up one booking too many. However, had neither played a part, their sides would not be in with a shout of reaching the last four. And that is why they are talismen