The  former apprentice Cristiano Ronaldo scored but Manchester United returning to Old Trafford with big advantage.

A string of fine saves by De Gea, plus Danny Welbeck’s first–half strike, earned United a draw and a vital away goal in the fi rst leg of the tie at the Bernabeu.

Mourinho and United manager Sir Alex Ferguson agreed that the tie is still in the balance. But Mourinho warned United his team are capable of winning the second leg at Old Trafford and ending their dreams of another Treble.

He said: “It is 50–50, it is a draw. They scored an away goal and we can do that as well. I don’t think, with the British culture, that United will play with all of their defenders in their own half at Old Trafford as they did here.

“I am still expecting a strong opponent with very good players, but I am confi dent and 100 per cent sure that we can do this. We can score at Old Trafford, as many sides have done.

“But no team with our attacking quality has played there.

“United did their job well. They came here not to concede space and goals, and they didn’t play to win. “I won’t criticise what they did. They got the result they wanted.

“But we had enough chances to score more than once. We had the initiative all the match, and we played against a team with lots of players covering their own area.”

Ronaldo said: “It was a tough game. They are a very strong team defensively. We played better and deserved to score more goals. I played in Manchester for six years. They welcomed me when I was a child and it’s very special to play against them. I have a lot of respect for them.

“We will have chances in the second leg, and we always try to take the initiative.”

United were indebted to De Gea, who used the return to his home city, where he made his name with Real’s neighbours Atletico, to underline why Ferguson believes he can develop into the long–term No1 keeper.

“David was excellent, but he has been improving all season,” said Ferguson. “He made three or four important saves and one superb one in the fi rst half, when he touched the ball on to the post.

“I’m pleased for him, He’s an Atletico boy playing here in Madrid, and he has done well. Before the match we would have taken 1–1 without question as this is a diffi cult place to come.

“However, I was disappointed in the fi rst half at how deep we defended.”

Ferguson hailed Ronaldo’s impressive display as well as the Portuguese superstar’s soaring header for the equaliser.

And he revealed that Ronaldo was sitting in United’s dressing room afterwards talking to his former team–mates.

Ferguson said: “I blamed Patrice Evra for his goal at fi rst for not challenging – then I saw the replay and I felt a bit stupid. On the replay, Ronaldo’s knee is about as high as Evra’s head.

“It was phenomenal! I’ve seen it before, and I don’t think any other player in the world can do that – certainly not Lionel Messi.”

Although United spent most of the game under the cosh, striker Robin van Persie had two chances inside a minute midway through the second half.

Ferguson added: “We kept making chances and hopefully we don’t regret that. The away goal is important, but this tie is not fi nished. “Real are a fantastic counter–attacking team, and I look forward to the second leg.

“Of course we came here to win as I had four attacking players in the team. But I was disappointed that we sat deep and didn’t use possession.

“At Old Trafford we have to be more positive, but we have goals in this team and you must remember that.

“I agree, though, that the tie is 50–50. “It could go either way now – it could really depend on who scores the first goal.”

Real Madrid vs Manchester United Match Facts:

Real Madrid: Diego Lopez, Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos, Varane, Fabio Coentrao, Khedira, Alonso (Pepe 83), Di Maria (Modric 75), Ozil, Ronaldo, Benzema (Higuain 60). Subs Not Used: Adan, Kaka, Carvalho, Essien.

Goals: Ronaldo 30.

Manchester United: De Gea, Rafael, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Welbeck (Valencia 73), Carrick, Jones, Kagawa (Giggs 64), Rooney (Anderson 84), Van Persie.

Subs Not Used: Lindegaard, Smalling, Hernandez, Cleverley.

Booked: van Persie, Rafael, Valencia.

Goals: Welbeck 20.

Attendance: 85,454

Referee: Felix Brych (Germany).

Real Madrid vs Manchester United UEFA Champions League first leg match Video:

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