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Ferguson grateful to Rooney for Champions League lifeline
ROME (AFP) - Sir Alex Ferguson believes Wayne Rooney's first Champions League goal for two-and-a-half years has left Manchester United in a strong postion to reach the semi-finals.
Rooney, who had not scored in the competition since netting a hat-trick against Fenerbahce in September 2004, gave United a lifeline with a precious away goal in a 2-1 defeat to Roma in a highly-charged quarter-final, first leg.
Asked if the goal would help Rooney's confidence, Ferguson replied: "I think it helps us more.
"Obviously we can take great encouragement from the away goal, and I think we can put a side out next Tuesday that can go and win the match."
Rodrigo Taddei put Roma ahead with a deflected shot in the 44th minute after United had Paul Scholes sent off for two yellow cards, his first already ruling him out of next week's second leg at Old Trafford.
Rooney showed a remarkably cool head for such young shoulders on the hour, equalising with a delightful finish after controlling Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's right-wing cross.
But Roma restored their lead six minutes later when Mirko Vucinic slammed home the loose ball after Edwin van der Sar had failed to deal with Mancini's blistering shot.
Ferguson was in awe of Rooney for the way he took his goal.
"The great thing about it was the composure he showed for a young lad," said the Scot who led United to Champions League success in 1999.
"He could have gone for his shot straight away, but he waited for the defender to move, side-stepped and then scored.
"It showed tremendous composure for a lad of only 21."
Rooney was delighted to end his European goal drought with such a crucial goal.
"It was very important to score," he said.
"It's our mentality to attack, even away from home with 10 men."
Roma coach Luciano Spalletti felt his side should have had a bigger advantage to take to Manchester having played with an extra man for 56 minutes.
"With a little bit more luck we could have won by a bigger margin," he said.
"But tonight's result showed that we can play and we have to be confident for the return.
"It was a test of our maturity and our development as a team and we have to be reasonably satisfied with 2-1."
Roma's joy at taking a slender lead to Old Trafford was tempered somewhat by a booking for midfielder Simone Perrotta, who like Scholes will be sidelined for the return game.
Wednesday's match was marred by trouble between rival fans outside the Olympic stadium before kick-off.
Eighteen fans went to hospital for treatment with one English fan in a serious condition after being stabbed in the neck.
The opening goal also sparked ugly scenes as United fans - reacting to spiteful provocation from the home supporters - were baton-charged by Italian police.
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