CR 1st goal, MU 1:0 Birmingham

Cristiano Ronaldo's first goal of the Barclays Premier League campaign secured a fifth successive league win for Sir Alex Ferguson's side following the 1-0 victory over Birmingham at St Andrews.
But his side were pushed all the way by Steve Bruce's battlers before climbing back into second spot - two points adrift of Arsenal who also have a game in hand.
Ronaldo settled the issue six minutes into the second half and United have now kept five successive clean sheets in the league since losing the Manchester derby.

MU 2 : 0 Chelsea

Carlos Tevez struck his first goal for the club in injury time at the end of the first half before Louis Saha capped off a dominant Reds display with a late penalty in a match that saw Chelsea reduced to ten men after John Obi Mikel’s sending off.....More

Emotional Win

Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo admitted to mixed emotions after his header sealed a 1-0 win for Manchester United at Sporting Lisbon in their Champions League Group F clash.

The winger received a warm reception from home fans at the club where he began his professional career, but there was no room for sentiment when he nodded home Wes Brown's cross in the 62nd minute for the only goal.

United's Ronaldo, whose celebrations were muted, told Sky Sports afterwards: "This is my colour, red, this is my team, but I like Sporting - it's my second home and I am a little bit sad, but Manchester is my team.

"These people are very important to me. But I am happy for the victory and three points."

He added: "It was a perfect night - I score, I win, it was great for Manchester United. It is always important to win away.

"It was a fantastic game that everyone enjoyed and I think the result was fair."

Ronaldo spent seven years wearing Sporting green before he left for Old Trafford in 2003 with a 12.2million price tag.

He marked his return home by providing the Red Devils with only their third Champions League away win in 15 encounters.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was delighted to open with a win away from Old Trafford. "Winning your first game away from home sets the tone for us," he said.

"At half-time we looked to improve our game with more penetration and I think we did.

"They had some opportunities on the edge of the box but never really opened us up."

Ferguson was happy with Wayne Rooney's contribution as he lasted more than 70 minutes in his first appearance since breaking his foot on the opening day of the season.

"It was difficult to know how long to keep him on but the goal made it easy," he said. "I'm sure he'll be ready for Sunday (against Chelsea)."

Enjoys Sporting homecoming

Cristiano Ronaldo is hoping for a warm reception when he steps out at the Estádio José Alvalade in the red of Manchester United FC in the UEFA Champions League.

'Second home'
Ronaldo joined United for €17.5m in August 2003 after coming up through the Sporting youth system and is looking forward to playing against the team where he made his name. "It's always good to come back to my second home," he said. "I have lots of friends and colleagues here. I like Sporting a lot but my primary colour now is red. To be honest I think the people like me here and the reception will be different than the last season in Estádio da Luz [when United played SL Benfica]. They are different people. I was booed but that's in the past. I think the reception will be good here."

Emotional return
Ronaldo admits it will be an emotional return, but he is focused on one thing alone; going one better than last season when United reached the semi-finals. "I will have to wait until tomorrow to see what my feelings are but I have been expecting to play against Sporting, a club where I spent so much time, for a while now. I expect a normal match, very emotional, but I believe we can win it because we're better than Sporting in every respect."

'Great game'
The 22-year-old has fond memories of this fixture. The two teams met in a friendly here four years ago and the home side ran out 3-1 winners – with Ronaldo impressing in the green and white of Sporting. "I have watched that match many times," he said. "It was a great game for me. I felt extra motivation back then because it was the very first match in the new Estádio José Alvalade and I was facing the team I always dreamed of playing for."

Dazzling
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson would make that dream a reality soon after and his decision to sign the winger has been vindicated many times over. Ronaldo has gone on to score 50 goals in 194 appearances for United, his dazzling performances last season helping the club to their first Premier League title since 2003. "I think it's difficult for an 18-year-old boy to settle at a new club in a new country as well as Cristiano did," Sir Alex said. "Young boys have to grow to develop and it is the speed of his development was surprising. He is a more mature player now."

About my life, my love

MILLIONS of women want to bed him - and millions of fellas would love to be him.

But Manchester United's hunky winger Cristiano Ronaldo reckons it's not all fun and games being a Premiership footballer.

The 22-year-old hunk - who earns £135,000 a week - claims it's tough at the top and can sometimes be a lonely place.

He said: "Many people have images of footballers as people who like to go out all the time, spend their money lavishly and to date many women.

"It’s hard to escape this idea but dealing with the pressures of being a famous footballer and the publicity it attracts can be very difficult.

"Footballer’s lifestyles are always under scrutiny but the image and publicity about wealth, glitz and good times often fail to tell the true story.

"Sometimes it is a very lonely world and we don’t feel safe in any place.

"Yet our status and our salaries mean we rarely win the public’s sympathy."

Cristiano's off-pitch exploits - including an alleged romp with five escort girls earlier this month - are infamous.

He's been linked to telly babe Gemma Atkinson and Bollywood star Bipasha Basu to name a few.

Although his dream woman, Angelina Jolie, is married to Hollywood hunk Brad Pitt, Cristiano claims he's too busy for women anyway.

In the interview with Hello! magazine, he went on: "I come under intense media scrutiny so I am very private about the girls I date.

"I am a gentleman, and I do not want them to experience the media pressure, which I have learned to ignore.

"For me, a girl does not need to be famous for me to like her.

"I do have my romantic moments but I am sensible. It is company that is important for me.

“I would like to marry, maybe in my thirties, but I have not met the right girl yet.

"For me, it is what is inside a beautiful woman that is important, although she must also be beautiful, like Angelina Jolie.

“I appreciate funny, kind, friendly women with good conversation and laughing is one of my favourite pastimes, although the time is not right for me to have a relationship.

"Football is my life. That is my focus.”

With his reported £40m fortune Cristiano can afford to splash out on the finer things in life. Recent treats have included as a Bentley GT convertible, several pieces of diamond jewellery and even a mansion in Lisbon.

But the soccer star admits there's one thing he'd love that money can't buy - kids.

Cristiano says: "Every year at Christmas I dress up as Santa Claus, in full costume – it is a family tradition – and bring the gifts to the children," he said.

"When I am with the children in the family I get broody."

Cristiano was a 12-year-old child himself when he left Madeira determined to make it big in the world of football.

And although he sometimes misses home, he also loves life in the UK.

He added: "The best thing about Britain is the people – they are fair.

"When you do well, they say so. When not so well, they say so.

“I feel privileged the British people have taken me to their hearts."

"I've learned my lesson"

Cristiano Ronaldo has vowed not to react to provocation as he returns to Premier League action with Manchester United.

The 22-year-old has served a three-match ban following his dismissal at Portsmouth, where Sir Alex Ferguson criticised the Portugal international for being provoked. And Ronaldo has insisted he will no longer retaliate on the pitch.

He told the Daily Mail: "I've learned a lot from this punishment.

"Now I am mentally prepared to tolerate anything my rivals throw at me. They cannot provoke me any more.

"This is a promise I've made to the manager. It will never happen. I wouldn't wish the experience of the past few weeks on anybody and I know I'm of no use to the club if I'm not on the field.

"I live for football and during the last few weeks I've suffered more than at any time in the past three years.

"It has been an incredible feeling not to be able to help the team."

Man Utd stay on winning run as Ronaldo returns

Manchester United celebrated the return of Cristiano Ronaldo to their line-up by chalking up a third consecutive 1-0 win, at Everton on Saturday. Sir Alex Ferguson's side, who have struggled for form and goals over the first month of the season, appeared to be heading for their third draw in six matches as Everton matched them for long periods at Goodison Park.

But with seven minutes left Nemanja Vidic got his head to a near post corner from new signing Nani to clinch all three points for the champions. Ronaldo, who was back in the side after serving a three-match suspension for head-butting Portsmouth's Richard Hughes last month, had vowed to steer clear of trouble but that did not prevent him from collecting a yellow card for diving.

Portugaul 2 : 2 Poland

Poland remain top of Euro 2008 Qualifying Group A after a 2-2 draw with Portugal in Lisbon.

Mariusz Lewandowski´s first-half strike was cancelled out by Maniche five minutes into the second half before Cristiano Ronaldo volleyed in to give the hosts the lead with 18 minutes remaining.

However, two minutes from time Jacek Krzynowek scored with a 30-yard strike, which hit the post before going in off Portuguese stopper Ricardo, to rescue a point for the visitors, who remain top of the table from second-placed Finland.