Forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney scored as Manchester United clinically beat Roma 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico yesterday in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

Portugal winger Ronaldo soared in the area six minutes before the break to head home a Paul Scholes cross after Rooney had skipped away from Philippe Mexes.

Rooney poked in the second goal in the 66th minute after a header from Korean midfielder Ji-Sung Park had sparked a goalmouth scramble.

Roma had nothing to show for some fluid football and have a massive task in next Wednesday's return at Old Trafford, where they lost 7-1 at the same stage of the Champions League competition last season.

In yesterday's other quarter-final, first leg, an early goal from teenager Bojan Krkic gave Barcelona a 1-0 win over Schalke 04 at the Arena AufSchalke.

Barcelona, bidding for a second Champions League title in three seasons, helped themselves to the lead when Thierry Henry's cross from the left set up the 17-year-old Bojan to divert the ball into the roof of the net.

The Catalans kept control throughout the first half but Schalke looked a different side after the break and almost hit back with two clear chances midway through the half, as first Fabian Ernst then Halil Altintop saw shots slip just wide.

Soren Larsen put a free header past the post as the Germans hurled players forward but Barcelona held on to take a valuable lead into the second leg at the Nou Camp today week.

The prize is a semi-final against either Man. United or Roma.