Manchester United FC again found Lisbon to be a happy hunting ground as they got their UEFA Champions League campaign off to the perfect start with a 1-0 win at Sporting Clube de Portugal thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo's fine diving header against his former club.
Happy return
The United winger scored the only goal of the game two minutes past the hour after United withstood early home pressure to give his side a welcome away win in Group F, following on from last year's victory elsewhere in the Portuguese capital against SL Benfica. United will seek to build on this victory when AS Roma come to Old Trafford on 2 October, when Sporting travel to FC Dynamo Kyiv.
Sporting quality
Sporting overcame FC Internazionale Milano on Matchday 1 last season and again started with confidence against high-quality opponents with the home midfield especially prominent in the early stages. Leandro Romagnoli's shot was deflected over and shortly after the industrious Italian was involved again, setting up João Moutinho for a 25-metre shot straight at Edwin van der Sar. United's first sight of goal was also from outside the area, but Ronaldo's aim with a long-range free-kick was wayward.
Long-range efforts
Ronaldo, making his first appearance against the club he left in 2003, forced the first save from Vladimir Stojković in the 24th minute, the Sporting goalkeeper pushing a low shot out for a corner after the United winger had cut in from the right. Anderson Polga then got in on the action, trying his luck from range but sending his effort whistling past Van der Sar's left-hand upright.
Deflected shots
The Dutchman was then forced to fly to his left to tip Liedson's shot from the edge of the area around the post after it flicked off the toe of Wes Brown's boot. It was past the half-hour before the other former Sporting star in United's ranks, Nani, made his first major contribution, although he promptly came close to scoring against the club he left in June, his well-struck shot deflecting narrowly wide.
Away travails
United were determined to improve on last season's away form in the UEFA Champions League when they lost four out of six games on their travels and started the second half strongly, Wayne Rooney just failing to connect with Patrice Evra's cross. Sporting coach Paulo Bento hoped to give his side better attacking options with the introduction of Simon Vukčević but it was United captain Ryan Giggs who was unable to take advantage of the clearest chance of the night yet, heading Ronaldo's cross over when unmarked.
Ronaldo header
Two minutes past the hour the visitors did finally take the lead, Ronaldo meeting Wes Brown's inviting right-wing cross with an excellent diving header. The Portuguese winger declined to celebrate and the home crowd sportingly applauded when the goalscorer's name was announced. The home side continued to search for a way through, Van der Sar producing a superb parry to keep out Tonel's header, and when Yannick Djaló blazed the rebound over Sporting's last chance had gone.
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