Manchester United 7 (seven) Roma 1
Having first invoked history, Manchester United then made it in thrilling fashion. After the acrimony at the Stadio Olimpico, Roma were battered at Old Trafford in United's latest great European recovery.
Having never previously overcome a first-leg deficit in the knockout stages of the Champions League, they did so in the most comprehensive manner imaginable. They had, however, done so in the European Cup half a century ago, as the former United manager Wilf McGuinness reminded the crowd before kick-off. Trailing 5-3 to Athletic Bilbao in 1956-7, the Maine Road crowd - and, no, that's not a mistake - had to wait until four minutes from time for Tommy Taylor's winner.
Satisfying the instant gratification generation took rather less time. Roma were swept aside within 20 minutes. United, scorers of a mere three goals in their entire Champions League campaign last year, had five inside 50 minutes of coruscating brilliance. By the final whistle, they had recorded their biggest European win since 1968 and that was against the Irish team Waterford, not the side second in Serie A.
In the process they rediscovered the buccaneering, attacking football that characterised the cavalier team of 1999. Then Roy Keane, Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole, in Turin, and Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, in Barcelona, joined Taylor in making an indelible imprint in a great United comeback. Now it was the turn of Michael Carrick, Alan Smith, Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Patrice Evra. Roma, accomplished enough to overcome Lyon and defeat United six days before, were overwhelmed.
For the team from the Eternal City, 90 minutes at Old Trafford must have seemed an eternity indeed. For all their technical excellence, they were simply overpowered. United played at an unrelenting pace, yet provided urgency and quality in equal measure. The speed of their game was matched by the calibre of the creation and execution of their goals. Not since 1999 has the rest of Europe shuddered in awe of Manchester United; they will do now.
Amid the collective brilliance, individual recognition must follow.
Ronaldo's case to be regarded as the world's best player - or, at the least, the most in-form - was enhanced. Roma dared not touch him but, for the most part, they could not anyway. He took a gladiatorial delight in tormenting Roma's unfortunate left-back, Christian Panucci. Respite was nowhere to be found: when Panucci switched flanks, so did Ronaldo.
And yet Ryan Giggs was no less influential. The Welshman provides proof that players with pace can prosper well into their thirties if they develop other facets of their game. In Giggs' case, his movement was so intelligent that, for all Rooney's instinctive gifts, it was evident why Sir Alex Ferguson preferred to use Giggs behind the sole striker where his footballing brain could be put to best effect.
It meant United replicated Roma's formation. Imitation can be deemed the sincerest form of flattery, but that is unlikely to console the giallorossi. They should, however, have learned of the dangers of annoying Manchester United. Riled by Roma and punished by Portsmouth, this was a team with a point to prove. Ferguson had renewed his attack on Christian Chivu - for what he deemed a malevolent role in the dismissal of Paul Scholes last week - in his programme notes. Regardless of his guilt, the Romanian was punished, part of a defence that was breached seven times.
The first was a delicate, deft lob, almost impudent in its cheek. Carrick was the scorer, spotting Doni off his line after Ronaldo invited him forward with his pass. It has long been wondered why Carrick, such a fine striker of the ball, does not score more goals. This heightened the mystery.
Carrick adopted a more typical role for the sumptuous second. He spread play from the centre circle to Gabriel Heinze on the left touchline. The Argentine found Giggs who, despite a rather unconvincing attempt to intercept from a defender, picked out Alan Smith. The striker's first goal of the season was taken wonderfully well.
In the process, and on just a third start of the season, he justified Ferguson's team selection. While his early touches suggested a player understandably under-prepared for the speed of the game, then his rugged combativety took hold. Solskjaer could have provided stealth, but Smith's more obvious threat was suitable.
'The one individual we should be paying attention to is Alan Smith,' said Ferguson, refusing to get carried away about the striker's team-mates. 'The rest of the players have done what we expected of them. His enthusiasm spreads around the team and the great quality he has had in the last year is patience.'
That isn't something often associated with Rooney, who then scored his second goal in as many Champions League games, to follow a drought of two-and-a-half years. After an initial incision from Ronaldo, Giggs provided the right-footed cross and Rooney the finish.
Ronaldo's brace bookended the half-time interval. The second was a tap-in from Giggs' cross, but the first was more memorable, a jinking solo run followed by a drilled shot that, remarkably, opened his Champions League account.
Carrick, with a shot of unerring accuracy, and the substitute Evra, with a low drive, added to the long-range strikes though Roma's goal, volleyed by Daniele de Rossi, was of a similar standard.
'It was a fantastic performance,' said Ferguson, agreeing it ranked as the finest at Old Trafford in Europe in his time in charge. 'This was a special night. Hopefully it's not a one-off. The number and quality of goals was very, very high and it's difficult to think you're going to get that again. You never expect a score like 7-1.'
You don't, but it was a welcome addition to United's history nonetheless.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Cristiano Ronaldo - Did a wonderful job in adversity for United's 10 men last week. With his team in the ascendancy, he delivered a display to invoke superlatives.
UNITED VERDICT: Simply outstanding. To perform such a clinical demolition job with such artistry on one of Europe's finest sides is a remarkable achievement.
ROMA VERDICT: Out-passed, out-classed, out-thought and out-fought, they are also out of the Champions League. And yet, given the splendour of United's performance, they almost merit sympathy.
Rampant Reds rout Roma
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