Majestic United storm into semis

MANCHESTER UNITED FC advanced to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in thrilling fashion as they swept AS Roma aside 7-1 at Old Trafford.

Four-goal salvo

A goal behind from the first leg, Sir Alex Ferguson's men blew their opponents away with four first-half strikes from Michael Carrick, Alan Smith, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo. Further efforts after the break from Ronaldo, Carrick and Patrice Evra completed a remarkable 8-3 aggregate success for a United team who will fear neither prospective semi-final opponent, AC Milan or FC Bayern München, after this display.

Whirlwind Start

Smith would reward his manager's bold move during a whirlwind opening by United, who, as if galvanised by the electric atmosphere inside Old Trafford, turned the tie on its head with three quick-fire goals. Carrick dented the floodgates irrevocably with a spectacularly-struck first European goal on eleven minutes. There seemed little danger to the Roma defence as Ronaldo slipped the ball inside from the right but the England midfielder left Doni for dead with a cute chip from outside the box.

Rooney strike

United's second after 17 minutes showed the Premiership leaders at their high-speed best. Breaking from their own half, Gabriel Heinze played the ball infield to Giggs who in turn slid it through to Smith, cutting out Cristian Chivu in the process. Smith, without a goal in 17 months, ended his long wait with a cool finish high to Doni's left. Old Trafford erupted. And before Roma had time to recover, they were three down. Giggs surged down the right and sent a low ball across goal which Rooney turned in off the far post.

Carrick's goal after 11 minutes set the tone and it was United's biggest win in Europe since 1968 when they defeated Republic of Ireland side Waterford by a similar margin.

Ronaldo finish

Daniele De Rossi headed wide from a David Pizarro free-kick as Roma sought a response but United kept coming. Ronaldo shot narrowly past the far post, then, with half-time approaching, Carrick sliced wide when it looked easier to score. It did not matter. A minute before the interval, the superb Giggs sent Ronaldo racing down the right and the Portuguese drilled a low effort between Doni and his near post.

It was a special night and every one of their goals were QUALITY.