Rooney strikes but United slip up

Paul Scholes' dismissal for two yellow cards after just 33 minutes had left the Red Devils in trouble against Roma. For a brief period after Rooney had coolly levelled Taddei's first-half strike, it appeared United would complete their mission with spectacular success.

But substitute Mirko Vucinic bundled home the rebound after Edwin van der Sar had failed to hold Mancini's blistering shot to earn Roma a richly-deserved victory.

At least Sir Alex Ferguson got the away goal he demanded but the United boss knows his side, lacking the suspended Scholes, will have to do better in the return leg on Tuesday to stand any chance of progressing to the last four.

Ferguson had promised every tactical angle would be covered as United attempted to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2002.

In terms of shackling dangermen Francesco Totti and Mancini, the visitors largely got it right.

Unfortunately, they failed to heed early warnings about Roma's liking for quickly-taken corners and eventually paid the price.

Van der Sar might have fancied his chances of keeping out Taddei's effort. But once it flicked off Wes Brown and Gabriel Heinze, the giant Dutchman had no chance.

It was a goal Roma definitely deserved but unfortunately, it sparked ugly scenes in the stands where, for the second United European away-day running, riot police were called in to quell disturbances.

The confrontations lasted well into the interval and did not bode well for the remainder of the evening.