United beat Braga 3-2 after stunning comeback

Manchester United produced a stirring comeback from conceding two early goals to beat Braga 3-2 on Tuesday, moving the English team to the brink of qualification for the Champions League knockout stage.

Mexico striker Javier Hernandez started and completed United’s rescue act, with his winner coming in the 75th minute following wave after wave of attacks from the home side.

Braga forward Alan scored twice in the opening 20 minutes to silence Old Trafford and maintain United’s poor defensive record this season.

Hernandez cut the deficit in the 25th and Jonny Evans equalised in the 62nd before United’s third straight Group H win was secured when Hernandez headed home from Tom Cleverley’s cross.

One more victory will seal United’s passage out of the group stage. Its first chance will come in Portugal in two weeks’ time in the return match between the teams.

United manager Alex Ferguson has been at a loss to explain why his team’s defence has been so leaky this season. But by resting defenders Patrice Evra and Rio Ferdinand ahead of Sunday’s Premier League match at Chelsea, he was asking for trouble against a Braga side that arrived unbeaten in its past seven away matches in Europe.

With captain Nemanja Vidic still injured, United fielded a second-choice defensive lineup — featuring midfielder Michael Carrick at centre back — and it was breached within two minutes.