Van Persie rues uncharacteristic misses

Manchester United's Robin van Persie feels he wasted chances to hand his side a win in Wednesday's Champions League clash with Real Madrid.

The Red Devils earned a 1-1 draw in the first-leg last-16 clash at the Bernabeu, but could have carved out a lead had Real goalkeeper Diego Lopez not regularly thwarted the Dutchman.

After the game, Van Persie lamented his inability to hand Sir Alex Ferguson's side a potentially decisive victory in the Spanish capital.

"I had three in the second half, especially the other when I hit the bar," the former Arsenal hitman told Sky Sports.

"That was a big chance, I should have put that in. I slightly mis-kicked it, I didn't hit it properly. So with a bit of luck, it could have gone in but it didn't.

"In the dying seconds, their keeper made a really good save because I was counting that one to go in."

United goalkeeper David de Gea was also worked hard on his return to Spain, and Van Persie said either team could have come away with a win.

"Yes, for sure (it could have gone either way)," he added. "They had a couple of good chances and I think if you said it would finish 1-1 before the game, most of us would take it.

"Away from home, it's a good result but for the people who watched the game, they have seen chances on both sides and it was a great game to watch."

The result means that Real have to score when they travel to England, but the 29-year-old does not believe that fact counts for much.

When asked whether United have the advantage, he said: "Well, slightly. At this level I don't really think these kind of teams care if they play at home or away.

"We don't really care, they don't really care and it is only half-time now. We will be ready for the second half."

Goalscorer Danny Welbeck also expressed delight after netting at a stadium he described as 'magnificent', and praised his team-mates for not being daunted by the occasion.

"I knew where Wayne (Rooney) was going to put it and thankfully I put into the back of the net," he said.

"You come to the Bernabeu and it's a magnificent stadium, but we came to play the game and not just the occasion."