Rooney feels for Roma

Wayne Rooney ruined Roma's hopes of revenge at Old Trafford with a match-winning second-half strike, but the United forward says the Italians perhaps deserved a point in the tie.

Rooney was the architect of the Reds' 70th-minute breakthrough. But United were holding after Cristiano Ronaldo went off with a cut to his head, leaving Sir Alex's side with ten men having used all three substitutes. Francesco Totti and Mauro Esposito both missed second-half chances to give the Giallorossi the goal that would have earned them a valuable point.

"Roma played really well," Wayne told Sky Italia. "We knew it'd be more difficult this time. The fair result was probably a draw as they had a lot of good chances.”

Rooney's finish was expertly executed, latching onto Nani's poked through-ball before angling his drive just inside the post for his first goal of the season. "I had to take it as early as I could," he said. "I saw the defender coming across and had to see it past him and the goalkeeper to the far post.

"I've played against Roma three times now and scored three goals, so I’m pleased with that. We played OK, but Roma did well and the fair result was a draw, fortunately we managed to hold on."