Manchester United absorbed Barcelona pressure to claim a 0-0 draw at Camp Nou in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final clash, but may yet live to regret Cristiano Ronaldo's early penalty miss.



In just the second minute of the encounter, United were handed a golden opportunity to claim a priceless away goal when Gabriel Milito was penalised for handling Ronaldo's goalwards header.


The Portugal international stepped up but thrashed his spot-kick wide of goalkeeper Victor Valdes' left-hand post to send the home fans delirious.


However, the game's opening drama failed to continue, and while Samuel Eto'o wasted decent chances, Sir Alex Ferguson's men comfortably soaked up Barca's dominant possession to claim an away stalemate.



Handled


Ronaldo, with 38 goals to his name this season, was left frustrated when Milito handled inside the penalty area in the second minute of the game.


Swiss referee Massimo Busacca had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, waving away protests from Barcelona.


Ronaldo stepped up to take the penalty kick - only to see his effort fly wide of the target.


The Portugal winger was left holding his head in his hands after missing a golden opportunity of giving United a precious away goal.


Ferguson's side struggled to find their rhythm in the first half, with Barcelona having the majority of possession.


Lionel Messi picked out Samuel Eto'o in the 13th minute only for Paul Scholes - on his 100th Champions League appearance - to make a vital interception.


Barcelona pressed forward again in the 21st minute and Rafael Marquez got clear of his marker but his header failed to trouble goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar, who was back in the side following a groin injury.


Then Yaya Toure showed good skill for the home side and sent a good cross into the area which was turned away by Van der Sar.


Ronaldo felt he should have had another penalty in the 30th minute when he was bundled over by Marquez after Xavi had carelessly lost possession.


However, referee Busacca waved away appeals and allowed play to continue, leaving the United winger frustrated.



Tempo


Barca were dictating the tempo at this stage and Eto'o rattled in a shot after 34 minutes but Wes Brown made a vital block.


Barcelona were spraying the ball around well, however, and won a free-kick in the 38th minute.


But Deco got little power on his effort and Van der Sar made a comfortable save.


United hit back and Marquez was booked in the 44th minute after tripping Ronaldo as he attempted to surge forward.


Ronaldo dusted himself down but sent his effort from an acute angle wide of the post.


Barcelona were quickly on the offensive at the start of the second half and Messi saw his effort blocked in the 47th minute, before Van der Sar did well to tip over Gianluca Zambrotta's long-range shot.


Eto'o skipped away from Ferdinand and tried to pick out Messi - but Michael Carrick was perfectly positioned and made the clearance.


Eto'o got clear in the 52nd minute but sent his effort into the side-netting, before Deco tested Van der Sar three minutes later with a low drive.


The Dutch goalkeeper was equal to Xavi's effort from 20 yards before Messi - who had only recently returned from injury - was replaced by Bojan Krkic in the 63rd minute.



Threat


Bojan was no less a threat than the Argentine, having scored the winning goal in the quarter-final first leg against Schalke.


United were finding it difficult to set up any attacks, leaving Ronaldo, Rooney and Carlos Tevez fairly isolated up front.


Former Arsenal favourite Thierry Henry was called into the action after 77 minutes with Deco coming off.


Henry quickly picked up the pace of the game and rattled in a shot after 83 minutes that Van der Sar beat away.


The United goalkeeper then got his body behind a Henry free-kick as United held out for a creditable draw.