THE bulldog spirit of two-goal Wayne Rooney won another sensational European night for the Reds, eclipsing the Brazilian brilliance of Kaka.

This was Champions League theatre at its very best again at Old Trafford.

Milan's South American was heading for one of those unforgettable nights at United's HQ enjoyed by his fellow countryman Ronaldo with Real Madrid almost exactly four years ago when Old Trafford rose as one with a gracious tribute to an individual display of awesome magnitude.

The original Ronaldo's stunning hat-trick couldn't quite see off the Reds on that night in 2003 as they hit back to win 4-3 but couldn't save themselves from a Champions League exit.

Last night they once again shrugged off an immense show from a gifted opponent to storm home and this time set up a fantastic second leg in the San Siro next Wednesday with the Athens dream still very much intact.

Kaka's display won't go unsaluted but it was Rooney who was on everyone's lips as United's fans were carried back home down Sir Matt Busby Way on another exhilarating wave of euphoria.

When it looked like the talk would be all about another Copacabana product, it was the lad from Croxteth who turned this match on its head.

Sir Alex Ferguson had been at pains to warn an expectant and throbbing Old Trafford that the Roma rout was a once in a lifetime event. He repeated in his programme notes that you can't expect three goals in the first 20 minutes of every Champions League match.

But during the opening 20 minutes his caution looked like it could be blown apart. The Reds were on fire and it seemed no amount of European experience was going to help a jot to Maldini and Co.

United had to wait to open their rout against the Romans for 11 minutes. Last night they beat that by six minutes.

Dida

Carlo Ancelotti was unsure about putting Brazilian keeper Dida into the firing line after nursing a shoulder problem. It looked like an error on the Italian's part when Dida failed to attack Ryan Giggs' fifth minute corner.

And so much for tight Italian defences as Ronaldo rose to head goalwards.

The airborne keeper got his body in the way to divert the ball towards goal and then it became a race between Gaby Heinze, Gilardino and Dida to reach the spinning loose ball. Dida's long arms stretched to paw it into goal.

The noise inside Old Trafford was a health hazard and the same cauldron was enough for Roma to crumble like the Coliseum a fortnight ago.

The Reds looked to take advantage and a Ronaldo shot and header could be counted as chances against opposition of this stature. So could Michael Carrick's effort that sadly didn't carry the conviction and direction of his Roma strikes.

Milan nonchalantly brushed aside the goal setback and the opportunities and then literally refused point-blank to give the ball back to United. As an exhibition of cool, possession football it had to be admired.

Kaka was given the platform to roam free and create havoc.

United just couldn't handle his poise, elegant stride, strength and calmness.

Could a full-strength Reds back four made up of those voted into the PFA'S Premiership XI rearguard have quelled the South American's genius? You have to say in this kind of mood it would have been unlikely.

It was Milan's quick-thinking that really undid United.

After 22 minutes Gattuso played a quick free-kick while the Reds stood aghast at the injustice of the award. Seedorf slipped a ball into Kaka's run who easily outstripped Carrick's tracking run and failure to get in a tackle. Edwin Van der Sar, despite his size, proved no obstacle for the Brazilian's brilliant finishing.

Having witnessed something special against Roma, Old Trafford was definitely experiencing another Euro spectacle that will live long in the memory from Kaka.

His second after another 15 minutes of Milan control added to the exceptional individual feast.

Speed

Again it was speed of thought that found the Reds out as Dida launched a huge punt up front.

Kaka comfortably shrugged off the attentions of Darren Fletcher. His flick over Heinze and subsequent crash between the Argentinian and Patrice Evra opened the door embarrassingly and once again Van der Sar's efforts to unhinge him were a waste of time as he was beaten yet again.

Kaka had opportunities to make the Reds expected fight back futile. His 57th-minute give and go with Seedorf that saw him launch himself at the return in the box was another moment of awe.

The Reds, however, survived and you have to hand it to them they wiped their collective bloodied noses and gave Milan one back.

Paul Scholes has a catalogue of Kaka moments himself and produced a wonderful lifted ball into Wayne Rooney after 59 minutes for the striker to bulldoze in and send in a fierce shot that Dida could only slow up on its way home.

United were now in powerful mode as they took the game to Milan looking for a lead to put in their baggage next week on the flight to Italy.

The poise of Milan had turned to panic as the Reds unleashed their now customary finale.

Just as the fourth UEFA official held aloft the two minutes overtime board Giggs slid a ball through to Rooney and the striker smacked home inside Dida's near post in one move.

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