Carlos Tevez capped an industrious display to steer Manchester United into the semi-finals of the Champions League for a second successive season.
The Argentina striker put the game out of Roma's reach by scoring in the 70th minute at Old Trafford to ensure the match was beyond Roma.
It was his fourth goal of the European campaign and his 17th of the season and set up a clash with Barcelona in the last four.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson has likened Tevez to Eric Cantona in the way he can change the face of games.
And it was appropriate that the Frenchman was in the stands to appreciate the striker's contribution to the cause.
Ferguson decided to leave Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney on the bench with a crucial Barclays Premier League match to follow against Arsenal on Sunday.
It looked a bit of a gamble but it paid off and Owen Hargreaves was outstanding on his return to the side.
Hargreaves had a reputation as a defensive midfielder for Bayern Munich. But he played more as a second striker tonight and looked the part.
He was recalled along with Mikael Silvestre, Anderson, Ji-Sung Park and Gerard Pique to emphasise the depth in quality in the squad.
United dominated the first half and should have extended their 2-0 advantage from the first leg in Italy.
However Roma squandered a great chance of pulling a goal back when they missed a penalty in the 30th minute.
United showed their intentions from the outset and a cross from the right by Hargreaves was cleared by Philippe Mexes.
Park sent his effort across the face of goal and wide in the sixth minute following good work by Ryan Giggs.
A minute later Tevez was unmarked but headed wide from a cross from Park.
United kept up the pressure and Wes Brown head over the bar following a corner from Giggs in the ninth minute.
Then Roma goalkeeper Doni did well to parry a shot from Hargreaves to safety.
The Italians rallied briefly and Mirko Vucinic saw his effort blocked by Edwin van der Sar.
However Doni again had to look to alert to prevent Giggs and Anderson making the breakthrough in quick succession for United.
The hard-working Vucinic stung Van der Sar's fingers with a shot in the 29th minute before Roma were awarded a controversial penalty.
Brown was adjudged to have brought down Mancini but referee Tom Henning's decision infuriated Ferguson.
However Daniele De Rossi blasted his spot-kick high over the bar to United's relief.
Roma re-grouped and Vucinic came close to making the breakthrough in the 48th minute when van der Sar spilled his shot.
He tried to muscle in on the rebound but Rio Ferdinand, showing no sign of his foot injury, stood firm and made a crucial block.
Roma stepped up the pace and Taddei rattled in a shot that was deflected to safety by Silvestre in the 57th minute.
The home supporters were keen to see United extend their lead and Giggs released Tevez in the 67th minute but he had strayed into an offside position.
The goal eventually came in the 70th minute thanks to Tevez' fourth goal in the Champions League and his 17th of the season.
He peeled away from his marker to head home following as cross from Hargreaves to put United 3-0 ahead on aggregate.
Four minutes later Rooney was brought on in a bid to increase the misery on Roma.
He was given a rousing reception but that was nothing compared to the roar that greeted Gary Neville in the 81st minute.
It was first run out for a year after ankle injury and he took the armband.
Then in the 89th minute Park saw his effort blocked by Doni as United finished in style.
