CRISTIANO Ronaldo has vowed to make up for a dramatic semi-final penalty miss by scoring against Barcelona in next week's return leg at Old Trafford and sending United to Moscow for their third appearance at Europe's showpiece event. Champions League Cup final.

 All season he's been the Reds most outstanding player but the shooting star showed he's only human in the charged Champions League atmosphere of the first leg of the semi at the Nou Camp when he amazingly missed a penalty after only TWO minutes.

 But despite failing to notch his 39th goal of the season, he then showed his usual brimmed with hislater typically full of confidence and boldly pledged vowed to make amends next Tuesday.

 Insisting he did not alter his penalty-taking technique, he said: “I didn't change. I scored a few penalties in that side but today I didn't score – it's no problem as now I'm going to score in Manchester.”

 It's the season United want to lift the European trophy more than any other as it is the 40th anniversary of their first Euro triumph and of course the 50th anniversary of the Munich tragedy.

 Ronaldo, who won his personal battle to prove himself best in the world with Barca's own superstar Messi, insisted he should have been awarded a second penalty later in the first half when he was bundled over by Rafael Marquez.

He said: “I think he touched me. But the referee didn't give a penalty. I don't know why, I don't understand.

As for the contest itself, Ronaldo said: “It was a tough game. Barcelona played very well, they kept the ball a lot. But I think we defended well. We played well, as well. 0-0 is a good result.”

“They kept the ball a lot but they didn't create great chances. We created more chances than Barcelona. Now, we're playing at home. I think we're going to win.”

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson refused to blame Ronaldo for his side's failure to score an away goal.

The Scot revealed he thought the winger would score, but added: “He's a bit unlucky. Maybe it's come too early.”

Of the second penalty incident, he said: “You're doing well to get one penalty kick. To ask for another one... I wasn't surprised.”

Ferguson was pleased with his side's defending but felt they could have created more at the other end. Describing United's performance as “professional”, he said: “We sealed off the areas where teams don't normally do well against Barcelona.

“They didn't make a lot of chances. Our concentration defending the space was very good. We should have done better with our possession. We had opportunities to counter-attack and gave the ball away too easily. 0-0 gives us a marvellous chance.”

Ferguson singled out midfielder Paul Scholes, making his 100th Champions League appearance, for special praise.

“I thought he was one of our best players. His reading of the play outside the box was terrific. His interceptions were marvellous and he never gave the ball away.”

United played without key defender Nemanja Vidic, who was ruled out by an upset stomach. He remains a doubt for Saturday's Barclays Premier League title showdown with Chelsea.

“We think he's doubtful. We'll do our best,” said Ferguson, who confirmed the Serb's condition had improved. “Let's hope we can get him there on Saturday morning - he'll be desperate to play.”