Manchester United Scores Early and Often -- Tonight's Champions' League return match between Manchester United and A.S. Roma has turned into an early rout. Barely 18 minutes into the game Manchester United has scored three times. Their 3-0 lead gives Man Utd. a two-goal lead in the aggregate, really putting the pressure on Roma. The Roma defense has been almost nonexistent, though much of the blame for the first goal should fall on the Roma goalie, who drifted too far off his line, making it easy for Michael Carrick to chip it in over him. The second goal came for Alan Smith in the 17th minute, when the poorly marked Ryan Giggs found the poorly marked Smith running on goal. The third goal came only a minute later, as Wayne Rooney took a crossing pass from Giggs, at the top center of the six-yard box, and touched a shot just inside the far corner post.

Manchester United fell behind in Rome, after Paul Scholes was ejected in the first half. Roma scored just before halftime. While Rooney evened the score in the second half, Roma got the win and took a 2-1 aggregate lead. Now, trailing by 2 goals in the aggregate, Roma is really on the ropes, even with more than an hour still to play at Old Trafford. In the E.P.L., Chelsea is breathing down Manchester Utd.'s neck, but tonight's Champion's League performance is serving notice that the Red Devils may be the world's best team this year.