The Rossoneri saw their 2-1 first half lead, thanks to a double from Kaka, shattered in the second-half with a counter double from Wayne Rooney.

The Milan tactician believes that his team didn’t deserve to be totally ripped out of their victory, claiming that a draw would have been fair.

"I feel disappointed because we gifted them the victory and a draw would have been the right result," Ancelotti told a press conference after the game.

"It's hard to take because I thought we were the better team for 60 minutes."

However, the Italian believes that the situation is much better than the quarter-finals 2-2 first leg home draw against Bayern Munich, which Milan managed to overcome.

"We're disappointed though I think we're in a better state than after the home leg of the quarter-final against Bayern Munich."

Brazilian superstar Kaka, whose magnificent double could prove vital for the Rossoneri in the second leg, shares the same opinion despite feeling the bitter result.

"After the 2-2 draw with Bayern we had to get a great result away from home, now we have to win but we've got the advantage of playing at home," Kaka told Wednesday's La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"It's a very bitter result that gives us little margin for error but I'm convinced Milan can go through."

"We will have to play like United did against us. We will have to show we've got great personality and enormous energy because we face a real battle."

Milan were unfortunate to lose key midfielder Gennaro Gattuso who limped off early in the second half and his absence proved to be effective.

"That's football but it hurts," Gattuso told reporters.

"Next time we'll be playing at San Siro in front of 70,000 of our fans. We'll see who's the strongest then."

Milan captain and influential defender Paolo Maldini was also taken off with a knee injury at half-time and the 39-year-old admits that his team is facing a tough challenge.

"The knee swelled up and the pain became unbearable. It will be difficult to recover for the return leg," said Maldini.

"We didn't deserve to lose at Old Trafford but the English side put in a fantastic performance. They fought right to the limit and showed great self-belief. We will have to follow their example."

Milan had the better chances during the first 60 minutes and seemed very strong but with the substitutions of Maldini and Gattuso they lost two important figures of their formation to let United slowly show some major superiority and snatch a last second victory.

The second leg will be played at San Siro next Wednesday.