Italian press reaction: Manchester United's Wayne Rooney taught AC Milan 'a lesson'

Milan's 4-0 Champions League humbling was inspired by a brace from Rooney, who often had the Rossoneri's ageing defence chasing shadows."Once upon a time, there was Milan," read the front page of La Gazzetta dello Sport, after Milan went out of the competition 7-2 on aggregate. "Mission impossible turned into a humbling, and the ruins of the old Milan remain at Old Trafford."  Related ArticlesMan Utd 4 AC Milan 0; 7-2 aggNomura to advise Red Knights on United takeoverBeckham backs United to win Champions LeagueDavid Beckham departs in green and gold scarfDebate: was Cristiano Ronaldo wrong to leave United?Fabio Capello given food for thought by Gary NevilleOther Italian newspapers were equally scathing. "Milan humiliated," said La Repubblica. "A lesson from (two-goal Wayne) Rooney. Milan go out with their heads hanging low - 4-0 isn't a defeat, it's a thrashing." Even Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani admitted the side had suffered a huge setback against Manchester United after much optimism had been expressed before the game about Milan's chances of reversing the 3-2 deficit from the home leg. "Naturally, it's hard to swallow that the club which has won more international titles than anyone else loses 4-0," Galliani told reporters. "I'm a little ashamed." Italian commentators said Milan's injury problems, with Brazilian forward Alexandre Pato and influential centre back Alessandro Nesta both unfit for the match, were no excuse. "Losing at Old Trafford is acceptable, but not in such a complete way, without showing any desperate pride," said Gazzetta.

Source: Telegraph