WAYNE Rooney was not even born the last time United lost a European knockout tie after an Old Trafford first leg lead.

Cristiano Ronaldo was only six weeks old and more worried about milk than Milan when Videoton won on penalties in Hungary to knock Ron Atkinson's Reds out of the UEFA Cup after four rounds.

A Frank Stapleton goal in England sent United over to Hungary with a 1-0 advantage but Videoton levelled on their own patch and a Mark Hughes missed penalty in the shoot-out helped send the Hungarians through.

Now United are looking to preserve that 22-year record to see them past AC Milan next week and into the Athens final on May 23.

But Michael Carrick won't let the euphoria of the home thriller against the Italians deflect from the task ahead of the Reds in the San Siro.

"It does set it up nicely for the game in Milan," says the £18m midfielder. "To win was great for us. We are still confident we can finish the job but we are not getting carried away that it is over.

"We are ahead and we have a bit of an advantage but there is no way we are thinking we are through yet. But we still believe we can go through. When we play the way we want to play we can beat anyone. It is going to be fantastic over there in the San Siro but we have given ourselves a chance."

At 8.30 last Tuesday evening, however, that chance looked to be a very outside one after Kaka's two first-half goals had cancelled out Cristiano Ronaldo's fifth minute goal. But United's memorable comeback is another experience for United' to put in their locker.

Trust

Carrick reveals that trust was vital to United's 3-2 victory.

"It was another night of incredible twists and turns," added Carrick. "Their goals were two bad ones to concede. But I don't think we relaxed after our early goal. We were still fully focused. They have too much quality for you to relax.

"The way they came back was a blow. At 2-1 down you wonder if it is going to be your night. But we had come back ourselves and done it before and we will probably do it again. We have the players and we trust each other.

"We had to bounce back. It was an uphill task but we proved we could do it. If they had scored another goal then it would have been an uphill task in Milan.

"We were patient and passed the ball and created opportunities. We knew it might take to the last minute so we kept at it.

"To create the chances we did and come back the way we did is a big boost for this side. The winner has given us a huge lift."

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