Sir Alex Ferguson

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson feels his side are in a good position to progress to the Champions League final after the first leg.

His side missed a penalty but held firm to come away from the Nou Camp with a 0-0 draw with Barcelona.

And Ferguson said: "We sealed off the areas where teams don't normally do well against Barcelona.

"They didn't make a lot of chances. Going to Old Trafford at 0-0 we have a marvellous chance."

Cristiano Ronaldo sidefooted wide from the spot after two minutes of the game and United were forced to spend much of the remaining time nullifying Barca's attacking threat.

But Ferguson added: "They had a lot of play around the box but our concentration was very good.

"On the negative side side we should have done better with possession. We had opportunities to counter-attack but gave the ball away too easily.

"The way they play they always have an extra man in midfield so possession is always going to be in their favour.

"You have to show patience and quality and Barcelona have that, but we had the answers.

"At Old Trafford we have to impose ourselves more and I think we will."

Ferguson admitted he was surprised by Ronaldo's penalty miss.

He said: "Maybe it came too early. It was the first minute of the match and he leaned back a bit.

"He's disappointed but nevertheless he was magnificent."

Ronaldo had an appeal for a second penalty turned away when he went to ground under a challenge from Rafael Marquez.

He said: "I think he touched me. But the referee didn't give a penalty. I don't know why, I don't understand."

Ferguson added: "If you get one penalty in the Nou Camp you are doing well, to ask for two I'm not surprised it wasn't given."

Ronaldo vowed to make amends for his miss in the second leg, adding: "I've scored a few penalties in that side but today I didn't score - no problem. Now I'm going to score in Manchester."

Ferguson praised midfield Paul Scholes' contribution in his 100th appearance in the Champions League.

"His reading of the play outside the box was terrific," said Ferguson. "His interceptions were marvellous and he never gave the ball away."