Mixed emotions in Manchester

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United FC are just four points away from qualifying for the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League after Wayne Rooney scored the only goal against AS Roma. Opposite number Luciano Spalletti felt the visitors did not deserve to leave Old Trafford empty handed and believes the result, coupled with Sporting Clube de Portugal's win at FC Dynamo Kyiv, places huge importance on his side's next two games.

Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United manager 
In the first half we showed too much caution and got bogged down in tactics. We improved a lot in the second half with a fabulous goal which was a result of great passing and great penetration. The goal will give Wayne confidence but that will come anyway as he improves his fitness and his sharpness by playing more games. The game was well refereed, played in good spirit, good atmosphere and that is a credit to both sets of players given the events of last year. It is very much straightforward for us now. I always say ten points will get us through and now we have six already and the confidence to go on and qualify. It's important we pick up points in the next two games against Kyiv as I don't want to go to Roma needing any points.

Luciano Spalletti, Roma coach
We were very, very good and should not have been the beaten side. The team deserved some form of reward for the discipline they played with. If anyone deserved to score more it was Roma rather than United. We showed the right attitude and the right approach. It would be wrong to point out individual errors and mistakes. We played excellent as a group, we played high up the pitch and showed great character. The dynamics of the group have now changed considerably, not only because of the result here but also the victory for Sporting. The next two games against Sporting are very important indeed.