Manchester United beat Roma
Wayne Rooney scored his first goal of the season to help Manchester United beat Roma in the Champions League and chalk up their sixth 1-0 victory in eight games. Rooney hit an angled first-time shot across keeper Gianluca Curci after 70 minutes to seal victory at Old Trafford.
The England striker was set up by Portuguese winger Nani and brought a dull game to life just when it seemed likely to end goalless.
It was a big contrast to last year when United beat the Italian giants 7-1 in a memorable quarter-final, but it leaves them top of their group.
United also saw Cristiano Ronaldo suffer a nasty cut to his face after an accidental elbow from Mirko Vucinic late on. And they were let off the hook when both Simone Perrotta and Mauro Esposita missed fantastic chances to equalise.
Rooney had the best chance of a quiet first half when he volleyed over the bar after Nani had sent over a perfect cross from the left.
Francesco Totti was Roma' s danger man, twice having efforts saved bykeeper Tomasz Kuszczak, who was deputising for injured Edwin van der Sar.
But the game never really burst into life, with both sides wasting possession too often.
Rooney drilled an effort narrowly wide of Curci's right-hand post after 64 minutes but finally won the match when Michael Carrick found Nani and the winger poked a ball through for Rooney to hit first time.
United also had the referee to thank for their victory because he ignored claims for a penalty when Carrick bundled Mancini over in the 67th minute.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson admitted before kick-off that he would be happy with a 1-0 victory instead of 7-1 - and has vowed United will hit top form soon.
He said: "The memory of that classic display is a reminder of the elusive form we are still searching for this season after a rather stilted opening that has seen us winning but without being on fire.
"Don't worry, it's coming. Our form is turning around. We're feeling our way through a period of injuries and getting our new players fit and bedded into our way of playing. We are getting there."
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