Press predict possible United regrets

Having watched Manchester United FC edge a step closer to the UEFA Champions League final with a 1-0 victory over Arsenal FC on Wednesday, the press across Europe agreed that the Red Devils fully deserved their advantage. In fact, the overwhelming consensus was that Arsène Wenger's visitors are fortunate to still be in the semi-final tie, with goalkeeper Manuel Almunia singled out for praise ahead of next Tuesday's decisive return game. We review some of the opinions being voiced across the continent.

Sir Alex Ferguson set for sleepless nights after team cannot put tie to bed
The Times, England
Sitting in the Europa Suite at Old Trafford on Tuesday afternoon, surrounded by reminders of his club's long history in this competition, Sir Alex Ferguson had expressed his belief that this would be a "fantastic" scoreline at the halfway point in the Champions League semi-final. However, by the end of last night, the manager's satisfaction at a dominant Manchester United performance was tempered by a nagging regret that they had let Arsenal off the hook.

O'Shea shoots winner, but Almunia keeps Gunners alive
Irish Examiner, Republic of Ireland
Both Kieran Gibbs and Mikaël Silvestre may have passed late fitness tests but neither were anywhere in sight when [Michael] Carrick cleverly turned a corner back into the box and [John] O'Shea, totally unmarked, rifled a shot high into the net. The Waterford man had already been a menace down the right flank, where young Gibbs is still learning his trade and was perhaps understandably distracted by the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Almunia keeps Gunners' hopes alive
Marca, Spain
Almunia kept Arsenal alive in the first leg at Old Trafford. Only O'Shea was capable of beating the giant between the Gunners' posts. With his team-mates tormented and flabbergasted by the fury of the Red Devils, the man from Navarra and his gloves had to work extra hard. The goalkeeper had already done 'too much' when O'Shea blasted his cannon at Arsène Wenger's team. In less than a week at the Emirates, the first finalist for the Rome showpiece will be known and Arsenal, led by Cesc Fàbregas, have Almunia to thank for the fact they are still in the tie.

Undaunted Wenger keeps faith in Arsenal's Champions League destiny
Guardian, England
For all Wenger's homespun wisdom about teaching impressionable youngsters to play the London Colney way, Tuesday's return leg will answer a brutally simple question: are all these Arsenal players gifted enough to form a team good enough to win Arsenal and Wenger a first European Cup? For much of this season, Emirates regulars have doubted that. With the cup-tied Andrei Arshavin and the injured Robin van Persie they would be closer to nirvana than they seemed for long periods last night. Wenger's fall-back, though, is the increasing psychological toughness of his young ensemble.

ManU poorly compensated for their domination
Le Soir, Belgium
Every Anderlecht and Standard supporter, not to mention the two clubs' officials, awaited the result of this semi-final first leg with impatience. Why? Because a victory for Arsenal in the Champions League would deprive the Belgian champions of an automatic place in next season's group stage. After 90 minutes at Old Trafford, that still remains a possibility. After a slender but deserved victory, Manchester United have taken just a small step towards qualification by avoiding the away goal that Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger had been counting on.

Manchester, unfinished symphony
L'Equipe, France
Aside perhaps from a slightly more convincing attempt at pressing their opponents shortly after the break, Arsenal suffered waves of pressure. From the opening minutes, Manchester United got to all the balls faster, started moves quicker and had much more dynamism, speed and impact in the tackle. Either as cause or consequence, Arsenal singled themselves out by lax, almost symbolic, marking and an uncertainty on the ball. Goalkeeper Almunia was by far the best performer for the Londoners.

O'Shea decides round one in United's favour against Arsenal
Corriere della Sera, Italy 
This 1-0 scoreline does not mean much for the future. Arsenal are thinking in terms of the full 180 minutes. United knew that and had to chew bitter grass, because in the first half Almunia managed to keep out everything.