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It was perhaps inevitable that Ronaldo would prove to be the decisive factor in his first appearance at the Estadio Jose Alvalade since his move to United back in 2003, although in truth the victory had more to do with goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar than the Portuguese winger.

The Dutch shot-stopper may have endured a shaky start to the season, but on this performance the veteran keeper is back to his best.

He pulled off two top-drawer saves, one in each half, to keep Sporting at bay and ensure that Ronaldo's 62nd minute header was the difference between the two sides.

Before the game Ronaldo had admitted he still regards Lisbon as his 'second home' - a view which was clearly shared by the Sporting fans, who gave him a tremendous ovation when he was replaced by Carlos Tevez - but he still had no compunction about planting Wes Brown's cross past Stojkovic just after the hour mark.

The goal celebration was decidedly muted out of respect for his former fans, but perhaps also because this was not a classic United performance. The result may have been perfect - and no mean feat considering Sporting had lost just once in their last 30 games - but again United failed to convince in attack.

Wayne Rooney was given his first run-out since recovering from a broken bone in his foot, but he was forced to plough a lone furrow up front, as Alex Ferguson decided to pack the midfield in an effort to contain Sporting's attacking threat.

United's tactics were perhaps understandable, given that they had lost eight of their last 11 away games in the Champions League prior to Wednesday night, and the opening 45 minutes was very much approached with trepidation.

But contain the hosts they did, even though the busiest player on the pitch during the opening exchanges was undoubtedly Van der Sar, who was brought into action on several occasions.

But Sporting were largely restricted to shooting from distance and the Dutchman was only really tested once, in the 28th minute when he pulled off a tremendous flying save to deny Liedson an equally brilliant 25-yard curler.

Sporting enjoyed the better of possession, but lacked the nous to unlock United's defence and long distance efforts from Ronny, Joao Moutinho and Leandro Romagnoli - earlier booked for persistent diving - either went wide or were hit straight at Van der Sar.

United's best chance of the opening period fell to Nani - another to play against his former club - but the Portuguese stalled too long after having received the ball from Rooney in the box just after the half hour mark; his eventual shot was blocked.

Earlier, Ronaldo had brought Vladimir Stojkovic into action for the first time on 23 minutes, but his effort was going wide and the keeper was merely playing safe when he tipped the ball around the post.

After the break, Ronaldo's stooping header not only gave United the lead, but it also gave the visitors that bit of confidence which had until that point been lacking.

Stojkovic was again tested on 71 minutes, Nani stinging his fingers with a wickedly swerving effort from the edge of the box, before Van der Sar pulled off his second crucial save of the night to deny Tonel a certain goal. The Portuguese defender thumped a header goalwards, only for Van der Sar to stick out a big hand and parry the ball away to safety.

After that, the hosts realised it was not to be their night, and United could even have doubled their lead as time ran out, but substitute Louis Saha's first time drive flew the wrong side of Stojkovic's upright.

Roma 2-0 Dynamo Kiev

In the other game in Group F, Roma got off to a good start as they ran out comfortable 2-0 winners over Dynamo Kiev thanks to a goals in each half from Simone Perrotta and Francesco Totti.

Perrotta swooped to head past Olexandr Shovkovskiy at the near post in the eight minute before Totti doubled the Romans' lead with a cool finish with 20 minutes remaining.

The Giallorossi - who reached the quarter-finals of last year's competition, where they were knocked out by United - could and should have increased their lead, only to be denied by the post three times.

First defender Juan struck a the woodwork on 27 minutes, when hitting the back of the net seemed an easier task, before Mancini and then Marco Cassetti also both struck an upright.

Next up for the Giallorossi, a trip to Manchester in a fortnight's time.

Mike Hytner / Eurosport