Champions League 2006-2007: We were playing against 12 men

Sir Alex Ferguson last night claimed Manchester United were playing "against 12 men" in an outburst against the German referee Herbert Fandel, which could result in further recriminations from Uefa. Ferguson was incensed by Fandel's performance at the Stadio Olimpico and may have talked himself into trouble after claiming that "a good referee" would not have sent off Paul Scholes. "Considering we played with ten men - mostly against 12 men - for over an hour, this is a good result for us," he said. "I don't think we got a decision all night but that is European football, I'm afraid." Fandel has been one of Ferguson's least favourite referees since he officiated their Champions League tie against Porto in 2003 and, in the eyes of the United manager, allowed Jose Mourinho's players to get away with some of the worst gamesmanship he has ever seen in a European tie. Ferguson remonstrated with the fourth official, Peter Sippel, on several occasions during the 2-1 defeat and later complained that Fandel was not equipped to take control of such a big match. "I can't have any complaints about [Scholes's] first booking but I do have complaints about the second one. In a big game like that, a good referee would not have sent him off, " said Ferguson, before turning his attention to the Roma defender Cristian Chivu, who appeared to give Fandel the thumbs up when Scholes was shown a second yellow card. "In my opinion Chivu got Scholes sent off because of his reaction to the referee. The referee told us before the game that if anyone attempted to get another player booked they would be sent off themselves. But that wasn't the case at all and it left us in a very difficult position." Down but not out, Ferguson believes it would be wrong for Roma to consider themselves favourites to progress to the semi-finals. "I think 2-1 is a good result," he said. "We're experienced enough to know that playing at home is a big advantage when you are in Europe. Over the years there have been some great games back at Old Trafford and we are in for another one now. We have come out with a good result here and if we score at Old Trafford we will go through. The away goal is invaluable in these two-legged fixtures and at Old Trafford I think we can get a team out, providing we get no more injuries [against Portsmouth] on Saturday, that will be capable of winning this game. "We have been impressed by Roma from what we have seen of them this season. We knew it would be tough, and it was tough. They made it difficult for us because they had an extra player but in the end it's a good result for us." Ferguson identified Wayne Rooney for special acclaim after the striker had scored his first Champions League goal in 18 matches. "The great thing is that Wayne is only 21 yet he showed fantastic composure in front of goal. It would have been easy for him to rush his shot but he took it down and took his team before picking out his spot." Rooney later described it as "one of the hardest games" he had ever been involved in but he, like Ferguson, believes 2-1 is a result that can stand in United's favour. "It was a tough job but we're happy with the result," he said. "We knew once we got the away goal that it would be very tough for Roma to come to Old Trafford. We have the home advantage next week and it's not a bad position to be in." Reference: guardian.co.uk