Iconic moments | Roma at home | April 2007

Manchester United 7 - 1 Roma

A throwback to April 2007 and one of Old Trafford's greatest European nights.

Author | Liam C

Pre-match context

A year on from the humiliation of crashing out in the Champions League group stage, United had rebuilt with a vibrant young side and pushed their way back into the knockout rounds of 2006/07. The quarter-final draw pitted them against Roma, a team considered dark horses in Europe. The first leg in Rome was a bruising 2-1 defeat, made all the harder by Paul Scholes’ dismissal. Yet Wayne Rooney’s well-taken away goal offered a glimmer of belief heading into the decisive second leg at Old Trafford.

United’s performance

The first leg had shown just how dangerous Luciano Spalletti’s Roma could be, with Francesco Totti leading the line in one of the earliest examples of the false nine system. With a deficit to overturn, caution and patience might have been the sensible approach, perhaps nicking a goal and edging through on away goals. Sir Alex Ferguson’s team had no interest in that. They came out flying, tearing into Roma and racing into a three-goal lead inside 20 minutes. By half-time it was four. 

After the interval United refused to relent, adding another three as Michael Carrick and Cristiano Ronaldo both struck twice, with Alan Smith, Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra all on the scoresheet in one of Old Trafford’s great European nights.

The wider significance

Injuries, fatigue and a relentless Premier League battle with Chelsea eventually saw United fall at the semi-final stage in Milan. Yet the performance against Roma had announced their intent across Europe. Less than a year later, the club would lift a third Champions League title, the promise shown in that Old Trafford demolition firmly fulfilled.

A wonderful atmosphere

Josh D told us: “Before the match started, you just had the sense it was going to be one of those magical European nights. For me, that was the best atmosphere under Fergie since that initial success of the early 90s.

Your favourite Man United game and atmosphere? Click to here watch highlights frpm that match | youtu.be/ih5zfhuTlCA?...

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— The View From K Stand (@theviewfromkstand.bsky.social) October 1, 2025 at 12:19 PM

Daniel, another United fan, added: “It was when Cristiano Ronaldo added a fourth that I was truly in a moment of disbelief. He shrugged off Christian Chivu before firing past a helpless Doni in goal. The beauty of the goal lay in its simplicity, a solo effort entirely of his own making. At this point, Old Trafford was absolutely bouncing. A memorable night for everyone apart from those three thousand Roma fans.

Tony was sat in K Stand, he told us: “My favourite game. Why? Because this was Manchester United at our magnificent best. We weren’t content to sit back, but full of a level of attacking bravado and intent that I don’t think has been topped since.”