Manchester United downs sporting Lisbon

Manchester, November 28: Cristiano Ronaldo scored with a free kick in injury time on Tuesday to keep Manchester United perfect in the Champions League with a 2-1 win over Sporting Lisbon.

The English champion already had qualified for the second round, but the win guarantees it first place in Group F with one game to go.

Carlos Tevez also scored for United, side footing in a pass from Ronaldo in the 62nd minute. Tevez had entered as a substitute at the start of the second half, along with Ryan Giggs.

Sporting Lisbon striker Fernando Abel scored against the run of play in the 22nd minute with a low, long-range goal from outside the box that went under diving goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak.

Liedson nearly made it 2-0 five minutes later, but the goal was voided for being offside.

Sporting's goal came after early pressure from Manchester United, with Ronaldo causing problems, and sending a diagonal shot wide in the 13th. Louis Saha missed a similar shot in the 19th.

Sporting has influenced Manchester United's team - Ronaldo and Nani are former players and former coach Carlos Queiroz is now assistant to manager Alex Ferguson.

Nani shot wide near the end of the first half and John O'Shea had an attempt saved by Sporting's teenage goalkeeper Rui Patricio.

With Tevez spearheading a more attacking formation in the second half, United was a greater threat.Ronaldo had a powerful shot blocked by Patricio in the 68th, and in the 74th, headed a cross from Tevez wide.

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