AS Roma kept Manchester United from attaining a perfect record in the group stage of the Champions League, holding the two-time champions to a 1-1 draw yesterday.

AS Roma's David Pizarro (R) and Manchester United's Dong Fangzhuo fight for the ball during their Champions League Group F soccer match at the Olympic stadium in Rome yesterday.

Gerard Pique gave the English champions the lead in the 34th minute, but Amantino Mancini equalized in the 71st.

Pique headed a corner past Roma goalkeeper Doni for his second goal of the competition. Mancini evaded Wes Brown and then beat United goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak from the left.

"There was a bit of inexperience at times but we put in a good performance and we can be pleased with that," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "We lacked experience at times but they played some good football against a stronger side."

United and Roma had both already clinched spots in the second round from Group F. The draw for the knockout round is set for Dec. 21.

"We deserved to win this game considering what we did in the second half," Roma coach Luciano Spalletti said. "Both teams were cautious in the first half but we did well after the restart."

Ferguson said John O'Shea injured his groin, and added that he rested several regular starters because of Sunday's Premier League match at Liverpool.

"We've got a big game on Sunday," Ferguson said. "The players at home have done good training sessions."

Michael Carrick had a shot in the 55th that Doni saved. Jonny Evans then seemed to have an easy tap in, but Cincinho managed to clear the ball.

Wayne Rooney, making a rare appearance as captain, twice shot the ball over the crossbar in the early stages of the game.

Francesco Totti thought he had scored for Roma in the 11th minute, but he was whistled for offside.

Before the game, five Manchester United fans and one supporter of AS Roma were stabbed, news reports said. They were not in serious condition.

In last year's quarterfinals, police clashed with United fans at the match at Roma. In the second leg, United crushed Roma 7-1.

(Agencies via Shanghai Daily December 13, 2007)