Sporting Lisbon Vs. Manchester United (Report)

Cristiano Ronaldo headed a fine winner on his return to former club Sporting Lisbon, giving United a winning start to the 2007/08 Champions League.

The Reds were solid, if unspectacular, in overcoming the Portuguese side, and were indebted to two superb saves from Edwin van der Sar either side of Ronaldo’s goal.

In a game of few chances, Edwin van der Sar’s brilliant first-half save from Liedson was the platform for United’s triumph, while Nani and substitute Louis Saha both came close to doubling United’s margin of victory.

Ronaldo’s goal was enough to notch United’s 100th victory in the Champions League, however, and further good news was provided by a sprightly 71-minute outing for Wayne Rooney.

The England striker made his first appearance since suffering a fractured foot against Reading, and showed no lack of fitness as he ploughed a lone furrow upfront.

The opening exchanges between the two sides were bossed largely by the hosts, who seemed eager to test van der Sar from long-range at any given opportunity.

Having already been called into action on several occasions, the big Dutchman kept United on level terms in breathtaking fashion just before the half-hour mark, denying Liedson with an astonishing fingertip save.

The Brazilian was picked out on the edge of the United box and, having fashioned space for a shot, curled a shot which was bound for the top corner until van der Sar hurled himself towards the ball and clawed it around the post.

The big Dutchman was required again to keep out several long-range efforts from the hosts, including a deflected free-kick from Brazilian defender Ronny.

United, however, were beginning to show more hints of fluency as the half wore on. Nani had a shot deflected just wide after a rapid counter-attack, while only a last-ditch intervention from Polga stopped Rooney from tapping home Giggs’ neat low cross.

Sporting continued to show plenty of industry, but it was United who had the final threatening moment of the half, as Polga again denied Ronaldo on the edge of the area.

United’s ascension continued into the opening exchanges of the second period. There was unquestionably greater purpose in the visitors’ game, while Sporting’s pace notably waned just after the break.

Skipper Ryan Giggs missed United’s first clear opening of the evening in the 58th minute, heading over the bar after a fine run and cross from Ronaldo on the left.

A second such opportunity arose four minutes later, and Ronaldo was far more clinical in front of goal as he stooped to head in Wes Brown’s superb right-wing cross.

The winger’s delight at putting the Reds ahead was clearly tempered by the fact that the goal came on his old stomping ground, as reflected in his deliberately muted celebrations.

That gesture was recognised by the home support who, ahem, sportingly afforded Ronaldo a rapturous round of applause to accompany the travelling supporters’ more euphoric celebrations.

United’s lead seemed to severely stunt the hosts’ ambitions, and Nani almost made it an old-boys’ double on the 70 minute mark, but saw his powerful shot parried out by Stojkovic.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side seemed set to see out the game in great comfort, but for a defensive lapse to almost cost them two points as Tonel ghosted onto the end of a left-wing cross.

The defender powerfully headed goalwards from close-range, only for van der Sar to again save his side by plunging low to his right and fisting the ball to safety.

Substitutes Anderson and Louis Saha combined well with Nani in a move which led to Saha shooting straight at Stojkovic, before Ronaldo again tested the goalkeeper with a winding run and low shot.

Moments later Saha shot wide after another fine run from Ronaldo, as United struggled to find a second goal which would have put the result beyond doubt.

Ronaldo was terrorising the Sporting defence, and it was surely partially relief as well as admiration which ensured the winger a standing ovation from the home fans when he was eventually substituted with five minutes remaining.

It was a fitting tribute to the man who, perhaps inevitably, proved to be the difference between the two sides on his first return to his former club.

Team line-ups

Sporting Lisbon: Stojkovic; Silva, Abel, Polga, Tonel, Ronny (Pereirinha, 74), Veloso, Moutinho, Liedson, Izmailov (Vukcevic, 55), Romagnoli (Purovic, 68).
Subs not used: Tiago, Paredes, Farnerud, Gladstone.

Manchester United: Van der Sar; Brown, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra; Ronaldo (Tevez, 85), Carrick, Scholes, Giggs (Anderson, 76), Nani; Rooney (Saha, 72).
Subs not used: Kuszczak, Pique, J Evans, Eagles.

Attendance: 39,514