Champions League 1/4 Finals 1st Leg: AS Roma 0-2 Manchester United

Manchester United demonstrated how much they have matured on the European stage as they produced a textbook away performance to brush Roma aside in the Stadio Olimpico with a goal in each half from Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney (0-2).
Before each of the killer goals, a determined United defence had withstood a barrage of pressure from the flamboyant Serie A side. But whatever Roma threw at United, they were equal to it, and with players like Ronaldo and Rooney lurking up front, they are always going to be a highly dangerous side on the counter-attack. And so it proved. Sir Alex Ferguson will look back on this display as one of the most satisfying of his many European campaigns and barring a catastrophe in the return leg at Old Trafford next week, United look assured their place in the last four of the Champions League as they bid to recapture the trophy they last famously won in season 1998-1999.

The breathtaking form of Ronaldo, meanwhile, shows no sign of abating. He made the breakthrough with his 36th goal of the campaign to leave Roma stunned. Then to heap more misery on the Italian title-chasers Rooney extended United's lead in the second half after a defensive mix-up in the six-yard box. It was a marvellous show of composure from United, who went into the match on the back of six straight Barclays Premier League wins

United, however, made it 2-0 in the 67th minute when Park headed the ball into the area at the back post.It resulted in a mix-up between Doni and Panucci with Rooney on hand to knock the ball home.Then Ronaldo skipped away from his marker only to see his effort come back off the post.With a two-goal cushion, United were knocking the ball around well and Michael Carrick came close in the 71st minute, his effort going narrowly wide.Rooney had put in a hard shift and was replaced by Carlos Tevez with six minutes remaining as Roma looked dispirited.