United grind out Sporting win
Ronaldo proves the undoing of his old side
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Tuesday, 27, Nov 2007 10:46
Manchester United have secured top spot in Champions League group F after a late Cristiano Ronaldo goal earned a 2-1 win over Sporting Lisbon.
The Portuguese winger's injury-time free-kick deprived his former club of a point after a battling effort that had the hosts struggling for much of the match.
On his return to the starting line-up Ronaldo soon reminded Sir Alex Ferguson of what he had been missing with a neat back-heel that unlocked Sporting's defence but was squandered by Louis Saha.
However the visitors took the lead on 21 minutes when a speculative effort from Abel crept at Tomas Kuszczak's near post.
They looked good value for their advantage for the remainder of the half as they restricted United to attempts from distance and quietened an expectant Old Trafford crowd.
The introduction of Carlos Tevez and Ryan Giggs revitalised the home attack after the interval and on the hour the diminutive Argentinean claimed the final touch that took Ronaldo's shot past a helpless Rui Patricio.
Sporting's backline came under a barrage of United attacks for the final third of the match with Ronaldo and substitute Owen Hargreaves both coming close before the dramatic climax.
In time added on Ronaldo whipped a vicious free-kick round the wall and into the corner of the net to grab the win and render his side's trip to Roma no more than a dead rubber.