Ronaldo and Rooney silence Roma in Stadio Olimpico
Cristiano Ronaldo's stunning header helped United to a comfortable win
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Tuesday, 01, Apr 2008 09:40
Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney gave Manchester United a 2-0 victory in the first leg of the Champions League quarter final against AS Roma.
Ronaldo's superb header gave the English champions the lead in the first half before a defensive error gifted United's second to Rooney after a nervous start from the away side.
Rio Ferdinand lost possession on the edge of the penalty to Mirko Vucinic, only to see the forward's shot go out for a throw after just ten minutes.
Roma nearly took the lead five minutes later when Christian Panucci met a corner from David Pizarro at the near post, but the experienced defender headed over under pressure from Michael Carrick and United could only manage a 45-yard free kick from Cristiano Ronaldo in response.
Things got worse for United when Nemanja Vidic was taken off on the half hour after injuring his knee in a challenge with the lively Vucinic.
John O'Shea came on for Vidic and on 39 minutes Ronaldo grabbed a priceless away goal.
Paul Scholes' dinked cross was met by the Portuguese midfielder who sprinted from deep to plant an unstoppable header past Doni and into the back of the net.
Panucci had a great chance for Roma after getting on the end of a cross from the right but he smashed a left foot volley over the bar when it was easier to score.
Edwin van der Saar kept the score level on the hour with a flying one handed save to keep out a Vucinic header after a corner.
But five minutes later Rooney gave United a comfortable lead after a deep cross from Wes Brown was headed across goal by Park Ji-sung.
Doni was unable to gather and the ball and it dropped fortuitously at the feet of Rooney who converted an easy tap-in.
Carrick could have added a third but his volley went wide as United played out the final minutes in full control.