'We have the quality to go and win tournament' says Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson insisted Manchester United showed the calibre of Champions League winners to transform their semi-final prospects against Milan last night, although there was a limit to his confidence after two "terrible away goals" ensured the manager's post-match demeanour was a combination of frustration and relief.

A stoppage-time winner from Wayne Rooney gave United a 3-2 lead to take to the San Siro next Wednesday; a dangerous result anywhere in Europe but gratefully accepted following another epic European night at Old Trafford. United trailed to a brace from Milan's Brazilian forward Kaka at the interval, their makeshift defence imploding according to Ferguson's worst nightmares, only for a spirited second-half revival featuring Rooney's first Champions League goals at Old Trafford for three years to provide the Scot with optimism for a second European Cup final appearance.

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"It is difficult to come back from 2-1 down against a team of that standard, but we did," the United manager said. "I told them at half-time to keep going and to keep playing at that speed as they would make a difference. There were mistakes and some bad decision-making from us in the final third but we also created some great football and we showed we have the quality to go on and win this tournament. It is not going to be easy in Milan, but it is not going to be easy for Milan either, and we have an outstanding chance."

He added: "I thought it was a terrific performance by us. Both teams played some great football, as we expected from Milan, although it was strange in a 3-2 game that there were some poor goals given away on both sides. The first goal came from a corner, then we lost two terrible goals."

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted Rooney's sublime winner had turned this semi-final on its axis on a night when injury to key members of the Rossoneri had a destabilising effect on their interval lead. "The game was over, it was a good result for us, but now it is going to be more difficult. This result suits Manchester United," he accepted.

Though Cristiano Ronaldo initially carried the fight to Milan, contributing to Dida's own goal in the fifth minute, United were indebted to Rooney for conjuring up an occasion comparable with the quarter-final defeat of Roma, albeit for entirely different reasons. "He was a threat to them all night," insisted Ferguson. "We decided to stretch them by getting the ball as wide as we could, and that meant he didn't have great involvement but when he did he was a real threat. It was an incredible first-time hit for the winner, a brilliant goal. It has put us in a fantastic position and I think we'll score again over there. Whether it is good enough I don't know. It will be a very difficult game but I look forward to it."

On the defensive problems that damaged United last night, and may be accentuated in Milan after Patrice Evra collected the booking that rules him out of the second leg, Ferguson admitted: "I don't know if we'll have any defenders back for the San Siro. It will be too early for Vidic and hopefully Rio will improve. We have eight days to get Rio fit, and that is going to be crucial to us with Patrice Evra now missing as well."

Manchester: Man-for-man marking

By Glenn Moore

* EDWIN VAN DER SAR: 6

Not a particularly busy night in goal despite the scoreline. Was wrong-footed for Kaka's first, but had little chance for the second.

* JOHN O'SHEA: 6

Strong going forward, but perhaps because Milan chose to allow him possession concentrating on closing down his passing options.

* WES BROWN: 6

In decent form having been given a run in preferred central defence. Coped well with Gilardino. Kaka's goals not scored on his watch.

* GABRIEL HEINZE: 6

Least at fault of the three defenders beaten for Kaka's second. Helped make sure of United's opening goal and relatively solid at the back.

* PATRICE EVRA: 4

Bright start but looked rusty and leggy. Harshly booked, and will miss second leg. Rash tackling might have prompted second yellow.

* DARREN FLETCHER: 6

Struggled to get to grips with Seedorf, and misjudged bouncing ball for Kaka's second. Better second period with strong shooting.

* MICHAEL CARRICK: 6

Some clever passing but unable to repeat pivotal performance against Roma. Let Kaka go for the first goal, missed a sitter early in second half.

* PAUL SCHOLES: 8

Magical flick for Rooney's goal, he increasingly made United's attack tick. On a card and took risks but escaped to play next week.

* CRISTIANO RONALDO: 7

Some bewitching runs, as ever, but for once his head was more influential, having a role in opening goal. Caught in possession too often.

* WAYNE ROONEY: 9

Initially looked as if he missed Alan Smith's presence but grew dramatically into his back-to-goal role. Sweet finishing for his goals.

* RYAN GIGGS: 8

Testing delivery from set-pieces, but less accurate with free-kicks at goal. An influence across the pitch, superbly laying on the winner.

* SUBSTITUTES NOT USED

Tomasz Kuszcak (gk), Alan Smith, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Dong Fangzhou, Kieran Richardson, Chris Eagles, Kieran Lee