Ferguson was unhappy with the officiating in Rome

Ferguson admitted midfielder Paul Scholes deserved his sending off but was unhappy with Fandel's overall performance at the Stadio Olimpico.

"Considering we played with 10 men, mostly against 12 men for an hour, it's a good result for us," he said.

"I don't think we got a decision all night but that's European football."

News conference: Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson

Interview: Man Utd winger Ryan Giggs

Ferguson added: "The referee told us before the game, anyone encouraging players to be booked or sent off, he would book them.

"But he didn't book the players clapping him, applauding him for sending a player off. So that's not acceptable.

"I can't complain about the sending off. It was probably two cards. Paul likes to tackle. Unfortunately in Europe, it's not acceptable."

You could compare him to motorcycling world champion Valentino Rossi Roma defender Christian Panucci on Cristiano Ronaldo

Scholes was sent off in the first half for a second yellow card and will now miss the second leg.

Ferguson added: "We could do without that. We need a full squad of players.

"I said before the game if we score then we have a massive chance. At Old Trafford, we've got a fantastic chance, don't worry about that."

Roma boss Luciano Spalletti said that he thought they should have won more convincingly.

"With more luck we could have won by more," he said. "When they were unable to score we had our hands on the scruff of the neck of the match and I though we would make it 2-0."

Wayne Rooney ended his Champions League goal drought but it was his team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo who drew praise from Roma veteran defender Christian Panucci.

"If he takes off with the ball you will never catch him," said the former Italy international.

"You could compare him to motorcycling world champion Valentino Rossi. If I was given the same engine as him then perhaps I could catch him."