Ronaldo heads United past Sporting
Ronaldo's spectacular effort handed United the points
Wednesday, 19, Sep 2007 11:19
Manchester United started their Champions League campaign with an important 1-0 win away against Sporting Lisbon.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winning goal against his former side with a diving header after 62 minutes and received a standing ovation when he was brought off, four minutes from time.
Wayne Rooney started his first match since injuring his metatarsal in United's opening league fixture of the season and lasted 72 minutes before being replaced by Louis Saha.
The Red Devils had Edwin van der Saar to thank for keeping them in the game in the first half. The Dutch goalkeeper had to dive at full stretch to save one-handed from Liedson fierce drive.
Nani saw a rare United shot deflected wide of the upright before van der Saar was again called into action from a Lisbon free-kick.
Alex Ferguson's men began the second half in better form and began to pressurise the Sporting goal, resulting in a chance for Ryan Giggs but Ronaldo's cross was just too high for the Welshman.
Ronaldo broke the deadlock after good work from Wes Brown down the right flank. The defender flighted in a pin-point cross and Ronaldo met it in the centre of the goal with a powerful header which beat Vladim Stojkovic.
Another long-range effort from Nani went close as United looked to double their advantage.
Van der Saar ensured the Red Devils took all three points when he produced another fine save with 15 minutes remaining.
Veloso crossed the ball to Tonel but van der Saar was on hand to deny the defender what looked like a certain goal.