UEFA Champions League Semi-Final 1st Leg: Barcelona 0 Manchester United 0

Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty as Manchester United held Barcelona in a cagey Champions League semi-final, first leg at the Nou Camp.

Gabriel Milito needlessly threw his hands up to block a Ronaldo header in the box in only the second minute.

But Ronaldo wasted the opportunity by side-footing wide from the spot.

Barcelona dominated the game without creating much, although substitute Thierry Henry almost caught out United keeper Edwin van der Sar late on.

United will be rightly pleased with their defensive display, especially having lost Nemanja Vidic before the game to a stomach problem.

But they may live to regret Ronaldo's early miss from the spot when the two sides meet again at Old Trafford next Tuesday.

They could not have imagined a better opportunity to grab an away goal and silence the home fans early on.

When the ball was played into the centre, Ronaldo went up for the header and Milito stuck out an arm to block.

Barcelona protested Milito's innocence but referee Massimo Busacca correctly pointed to the spot.

The Argentine defender was, however, given a let-off when Ronaldo opened his body and screwed his spot-kick wide of the upright.

Barcelona responded by taking a grip on the game, probing in and around the visitors' area.

But United's reworked backline - with Wes Brown at centre-back and Owen Hargreaves filling in at right-back - held firm.

Van der Sar was largely untroubled, except for the problems he caused himself with a couple of errant clearances.

United had vowed to attack but they were forced to play a containing game as Barcelona played possession football, with Lionel Messi at the heart of everything.