Manchester United put a disappointing week behind them to hammer a disjointed AS Roma at Old Trafford. The game really was like watching boys against men. United were polished, confident and clinical; Roma were scrappy, flustered and inaccurate.

The vultures were gathering after United lost to Roma with ten men in the first leg in Italy, and then Portsmouth beat them 2-1. It seemed Manchester's season was starting to crumble. Roma, on the other hand, were starting to get noticed in the Champions League after their 2-1 victory over United and their away win in Lyon in the second round.

Cristiano Ronaldo was absolutely fantastic in the second leg; from the very start he was weaving around players and creating opportunities. He set up Michael Carrick, who scored from the edge of the area. The goal not only put United ahead on away goals, it put the momentum strongly in their favour.

Six minutes later, a quick movement upfield gave Alan Smith a chance which he finished in great style; maybe he thought he had a Leeds United jersey on! Striaght away, United made it 3-0 through Wayne Rooney, who has hopefully put his Champions League hoodoo behind him, and the game was all but over as a contest.

Ronaldo then scored either side of half-time, his first two goals in the Champions League, and Carrick got his brace in the 60th minute. Daniele De Rossi replied with a great volley to ensure Roma didn't go home without scoring before Patrice Evra made it lucky seven for Manchester United.

The whole United team were fantastic. Ronaldo continued to show why so many think he is the best in the world, Carrick showed why Sir Alex Ferguson was willing to pay so much for him, and Smith finally played well in a big game. However, the United defence deserves a lot of the applause. Before kick-off, many  (including myself) suggested that injuries, especially the one to Nemanja Vidic, had left them weak at the back and that Roma could end up exposing them and winning through. As it was, the United defence was solid and managed to help compound the problems Roma were having in attack.

Roma reminded us all that they are still a work in progress. Despite some big wins this season, the truth is that they still need a few more players. Alexander Doni is a good goalkeeper, but isn't good enough for these latter stages of the Champions League. While he didn't make any major blunders on the night, you really need a goalkeeper who can make the saves he shouldn't, not just the ones he should, if you want to progress.

The Roma defensive line was all over the place and you would think they just had an off night, as for most of the season they have been fantastic, conceding only five goals in the Champions League until the United floodgates opened. The midfield was the real horror story for Roma on the night. Countless passes went astray or straight to an opposition player and those that found a Roma player rarely gave them a chance to create anything.

Roma really need two strikers if they want to win another Scudetto or their first Champions League trophy. They need a strong target man who can play as a pivot for the midfield or target for crosses, and a poacher.

Congratulations to Manchester United. As a Milan fan they certainly have me concerned (although Bayern Munich will probably be the ones who have to prevent an all English final.)

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