Rooney ends European goal drought to give United hope

Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney (R) fights for the ball with Roma's defender Marco Cassetti during their Champions League quarter-final, first leg, football match at the Olimpic Stadium in Rome. Roma won 2-1.

Paul Scholes was sent off in the first half as Manchester United lost 2-1 to Roma in a highly-charged Champions League quarter-final, first leg here on Wednesday.

United were reduced to 10 men in the 34th minute when Scholes picked up a second yellow card, the first one having already ruled him out of the second leg at Old Trafford.

Roma exploited their numerical advantage a minute before the break when Rodrigo Taddei's deflected shot beat Edwin van der Sar.

The goal sparked ugly scenes as United fans - reacting to spiteful provocation from the home supporters - were baton-charged by Italian police.

United coach Sir Alex Ferguson had said an away goal would be vital if his side were to reach the semis.

Manchester's forward Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal (C) controls the ball between Roma's Christian Panucci and Rodrigo Taddei of Brazil during their Champions League quarter-final, first leg, football match at the Olimpic Stadium in Rome. Roma won 2-1.

And he got his wish on the hour as Wayne Rooney netted his first Champions League goal for two-and-a-half years with a cool finish after a swift United counter-attack.

But Roma refused to let their heads drop and substitute Mirko Vucinic restored their lead in the 66th minute, hammering home the loose ball after van der Sar had only half cleared Mancini's venomous strike with his fists.

Ferguson seemed satisfied with the result, though, he was far from happy with the referee.

"Being against 10 possibly 12 men for at least an hour it was a good result," said Ferguson.

"The referee didn't give a decision for us tonight, but I can't complain about the sending off.

Roma's midfieldder Rodrigo Taddei of Brazil (R) fights for the ball with Manchester United's midfielder Paul Scholes during their Champion's league quarter final 1st leg football match at Rome's Olimpic Stadium. Roma won 2-1.

"However the referee said before the match that he would book anyone asking for someone to be booked and yet a Roma player demanded the booking for Scholes and was not punished and that is not acceptable."

Roma's joy at defeating the English Premiership leaders was tempered slightly by a booking for midfielder Simone Perrotta, who like Scholes will miss next week's return match.

On Tuesday South Korean midfielder Park Ji-Sung became the latest United player to join an ever-growing injury list after suffering a twisted knee in league action at the weekend.

Ryan Giggs, who has been playing as a second striker this season, dropped back on the left wing to replace Park and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, scorer of United's winning goal in the 1999 Champions League final, partnered Rooney in attack.

Italian riot policemen clash with Manchesters United supporters during their Champions League quarter-final, first leg, football match at the Olimpic Stadium in Rome. Roma won 2-1.

Roma were deprived of their Chilean playmaker David Pizarro due to a one-match suspension, meaning a place in midfield for Swedish international Christian Wilhelmsson.

The home side made an aggressive start with Taddei screwing a shot wide and Christian Chivu curling a free-kick the wrong side of the post.

United were slow to get into their stride, but they gave their hosts a warning of their attacking threat when Cristiano Ronaldo left Daniele De Rossi for dead only to see his low cross towards Rooney intercepted.

Francesco Totti drove a free-kick straight into the arms of van Der Sar before Scholes picked up his first yellow card for clattering into Wilhelmsson.

After Totti had tested van der Sar with an angled shot, Scholes went for an early bath for bringing Totti's robust run to an end with another crude challenge.

Manchester United's Paul Scholes leaves the field after being sent off during their Champions League quarter-final, first leg, football match at the Olimpic Stadium in Rome. Roma defeated Manchester United 2-1.

"The way numbers are at the moment we have a few players out and we could do without that," said Ferguson.

"Sure we can cope. We have the options I think. Nevertheless Scholes is a loss as he is a world class player."

Perrotta was booked for diving to even the score in suspensions for the return leg before Roma went ahead.

Mancini cut the ball back intelligently after a quickly-taken corner and Taddei's shot hit Wes Brown before finding the net.

Ronaldo had a great chance to level the score two minutes after the restart, but his lob lacked the height to get above Roma's Brazilian keeper Doni.

Totti blazed over from a good position before United caught Roma out with a lightning break in the 60th minute.

Solskjaer found himself in acres of space down the right, and his pin-point cross found Rooney with time and space.

The England striker took the ball down cleverly and placed a low shot past Doni.

"One would probably not see a better goal all night," purred Ferguson.

"He showed good composure and produced a great finish."

Roma reacted positively and Vucinic equalised after van der Sar had failed to deal with Mancini's blistering drive.

Totti might have given Roma a two-goal cushion but his 20-yard screamer whistled wide.