UCL [ 1 ] Sporting 0 - 1 Manchester United

UEFA Champions League Group F

Estadio Jose Alvalade, 19 Sept

SPORTING LISBON 0

MANCHESTER UNITED 1
Ronaldo (62)

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, the Dutch goalkeeper'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 their 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 an effort which was bound for the top corner until van der Sar hurled himself towards the ball and clawed it around the post.

The 36-year-old 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, fittingly, 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, Abel, Tonel, Anderson Polga, Ronny (Bruno Pereirinha 74), Izmailov (Vukcevic 55), Veloso, Joao Moutinho, Romagnoli (Purovic 67), Djalo, Liedson.
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

EPL [ 6 ] : Everton 0 - 1 Manchester United

Barclays Premier League
Goodison Park, Sat 15 September

EVERTON 0

MANCHESTER UNITED 1
Vidic (83)

Hard-fought, patient and determined; everything United needed to be at Goodison Park on Saturday, and all qualities encapsulated in the performance of Reds match-winner Nemanja Vidic.

The colossal Serbian defender, outstanding in coping with the threat of Yakubu and Andy Johnson all afternoon, proved his threat in attack with a thumping header from Nani’s corner to seal victory seven minutes from time in a match that so often looked destined for a draw.

United controlled large periods of possession, and attacked with purpose, but rarely threatened Stefan Wessel - in for injured former Reds goalkeeper Tim Howard. However, the Reds never stopped seeking a breakthrough, even when Everton had arguably decided to settle for a point.

Wayne Rooney, who hasn’t played since the opening day stalemate with Reading at Old Trafford, had been tipped to make his comeback from a fractured metatarsal against his former club. But Sir Alex Ferguson instead opted to leave the 21-year-old out of his squad. And with Cristiano Ronaldo back from a three-match suspension, Carlos Tevez with games under his belt and Louis Saha on the bench, there was no need to take any risks with Rooney.

The Reds, and Tevez in particular, started brightly with the Argentina forward, Ronaldo, and Ryan Giggs all rotating to find space in the final third. Tevez carved out the first chance with a glorious through-ball, arced perfectly round Everton full-back Tony Hibbert to find the advancing Patrice Evra. The Frenchman, playing on the left wing in front of Mikael Silvestre, hit the side-netting with his shot, but it represented a positive opening from Sir Alex’s team.

Ronaldo was next to go close after quarter of an hour with a shot that flew past the post. And it may have troubled Everton keeper Wessels had Joleon Lescott not got a crucial touch on the ball.

Despite United’s bright beginning, however, the half ended frustratingly for the Reds, with Everton defending resolutely and clear-cut chances few and far between. Sir Alex was forced into a change just before the break when Mikael Silvestre appeared to slip, twisting his knee. Nani replaced the Frenchman and took up duties on the left flank, with Evra dropping back into defence to replace his fellow countryman.

As the half wore on, Everton began to come into the game and after the restart Yakubu was proving a handful for United’s defenders. Two minutes into the second half, the Nigerian laid on the ball for Phil Jagielka to strike just wide. Then he helped earn David Moyes’ men a corner kick, from which Paul Scholes had to clear off the line from Andy Johnson’s header.

Giggs and Tevez continued to probe Everton’s defence, but United were finding it difficult to get in behind the back four. And when the Reds did manage to find space in the area just after the hour, the chance went begging. Ronaldo and Tevez combined on the edge of the box, culminating in Tevez lifting the ball over Joseph Yobo to find Scholes’ run, but the ball wouldn’t drop quickly enough and, under pressure from Lescott, the Reds midfielder volleyed over.

With that in mind Sir Alex brought on Saha in place of Giggs to add dynamism to United's attack. As against Sunderland, Saha brought with him hope of a late winner. Two minutes previously, Tevez had gone close with a 20-yard effort and Saha's arrival seemed to lift the Reds momentarily. But still there was no way through Everton's stubborn resistence.

Ronaldo went down in the area on 70 minutes and for a second it seemed as if referee Alan Wiley had pointed to the spot. He had actually given Everton a free-kick and booked Ronaldo for diving, even though television replays showed that Jagielka had clipped the Portuguese winger’s heels.

With the game entering the final ten minutes, the match appeared headed for a draw. And on account of Everton’s undoubted improvement this season, a draw at Goodison Park is by no means anything to be ashamed of. But in light of United dropping points against Reading, Portsmouth and Manchester City already this season, these were three points the Reds certainly needed.

The cavalry finally arrived in the 83rd minute. Patrice Evra won a corner on the left and Nemanja Vidic, so dangerous from set-pieces, found space at the front post to power home from Nani’s centre. It merely enhances the Serb's cult status among United's supporters, and the relief at seeing the ball hit the back of the net was almost immeasurable. Remarkably, it was United's first attempt on target.

But the drama wasn’t over there. James McFadden, Scotland’s hero against France in midweek, came on for Phil Neville and immediately tested Edwin van der Sar with a 20-yard effort. The Dutchman palmed away the shot, but it fell to substitute Victor Anichebe inside the six-yard area. United’s fans, hearts in mouths, must have winced, but Rio Ferdinand came to the rescue to block the Nigerian’s shot, before Yobo fired wide.

This isn’t the slick United we saw at this stage of last season, but with several key players returning to action from injury or suspension, it is another victory at least – the third 1-0 win in a row – and results under recent circumstances are all that matter.

Team Line-ups

Everton: Wessels; Hibbert, Yobo, Lescott, Baines; Osman (Pienaar, 72) P.Neville (McFadden, 84), Jagielka, Arteta; Johnson, Yakubu (Anichebe, 72).
Subs not used: Turner, Carsley.

Manchester United: Van der Sar; Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic*, Silvestre (Nani, 40, Pique, 84); Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Evra; Giggs (Saha, 62), Tevez.
Subs not used: Kuszczak, Gibson.

source : www.manutd.com