Cristiano Ronaldo hailed his return to his homeland as "the perfect night" after firing United to victory against his former club.

Cristiano Ronaldo hailed his return to his homeland as "the perfect night" after firing United to victory against his former club.

The Portuguese international headed home Wes Brown's cross just after the hour to give United a priceless victory and set them on their way in Group F.

Ronaldo was pleased with the result, but admitted that he felt a tad guilty about netting against the club he calls his second home.

"It's a perfect night for me. I scored and the team won. So it's been a great night for me and United," he told Sky Sports at the final whistle.

"It's always important to win away from home. Both teams played well, but I think the result is a fair one because we did better.

"Red is my colour and I want to win for United. I said before the game that Sporting Lisbon is my second home and I feel a little bit sad [that they lost], but the most important thing is United. They are my team and I'm very happy with the victory."

Some sections of the home fans rose to applaud Ronaldo's goal, before the whole stadium gave him a standing ovation when he was substituted in the final few minutes. It was a gesture which delighted the 22-year-old winger.

"The people here are very important to me," he insisted. "They helped me a lot when I played here.

"When I scored I didn't want to do too much because I don't think it's fair. But I'm very happy with the three points." Read more...

Boss pleased by away boost

Sir Alex Ferguson believes United's slender victory over Sporting Lisbon will give his players just the boost they need for their upcoming Champions League away trips.

The 1-0 win in the Portugal capital, courtesy of Cristiano Ronaldo's second half diving header, was only United's third Champions League win in the last 15 on their travels.

The boss was pleased with his side's penetration after the break and is hopeful that this result will set things up nicely for United in Group F.

"It was good night for us," he told Sky Sports. "Winning your first match of the group away from home, just like we did last season, sets the tone. Getting a good start is always important.

"This victory will give the players a good confidence boost because we went a couple of years without winning away from home in Europe.

"Last season we changed that trend and it got us back to how we were eight or nine years ago when we were a constant threat away from home.

"Tactically things were, in the main, very good. Our penetration was better in the second half and there was more purpose to our game. They had some opportunities from the edge of the box, but they never really opened us up and that was our plan."

Ronaldo's 62nd minute goal was sportingly applauded by some sections of the home crowd in tribute to their former servant.

"It was interesting to see that - it's a rarity in the modern day game, but given that he's an ex-player for the club it's understandable in some ways," said Sir Alex.

"I'm pleased that he's off the mark for the season. His suspension derailed him a little bit, but I'm sure he's back on track now."

Another United player back on track is Wayne Rooney, who completed 71 minutes of the match, his first since breaking his foot in the opening game of the season last month.

"It was difficult to measure how long we kept Wayne on the pitch, but as soon as we scored I decided it was time to get Louis [Saha] ready," explained the boss. "Wayne will be better for his minutes on the clock and I'm sure he'll be ready for Sunday." Read more...

Owen eyes Chelsea return

Owen Hargreaves missed United's opening Champions League Group F game against Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday, but the midfielder is hoping to be fit to face Chelsea this weekend.

The 26-year-old has been struggling with a thigh strain and also missed United's 1-0 win over Everton last weekend.

It had been thought that Hargreaves would be fit for the trip to Portugal, but the Englishman was left out of the squad that travelled of Lisbon.

"[The injury] is okay," he said on Monday. "I have never really had this injury before so this is new territory."

"I thought I would be fit to play for England in the Israel game, then the Russia game and then Everton, but I've still not done it. I have to take it day by day so hopefully I will be fit for the weekend."

Injury prevented Hargreaves from appearing in United's opening three matches of the campaign. But he proved exceptional in the three games he has played in so far this term. Outstanding despite defeat to Manchester City, he then helped the Reds to 1-0 victories over Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland, which makes it all the more maddening that he cannot have a clear run of games.

"It is frustrating," he said. "I missed pre-season then I had a run of games and I was really enjoying it. It is just disappointing to suffer something so niggly. But I think these injuries come from last season when I broke my leg." Read more...

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 Read more...

United starlet facing spell on sidelines

Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson faces a spell on the sidelines after fracturing a toe in a reserve-team clash with Sporting Lisbon.

Gibson, who made his senior debut for the Republic of Ireland in Slovakia last week, suffered the injury during a 5-2 defeat in a match that was specially arranged to pit United's youngsters against their Portuguese counterparts.

Although there has been no official confirmation of a precise recovery time for the 19-year-old, who was expected to make his first senior appearance for Sir Alex Ferguson's side in next Wednesday's Carling Cup clash with Coventry, early estimates are that Gibson will be out for 'a few weeks'.

It means the 19-year-old is now a major doubt for next month's international double-header with Germany and Cyprus at Croke Park. Read more...