Manchester United were held to a 0-0 draw by Villarreal in Champions League Group E - but welcomed Cristiano Ronaldo back into action.The Red Devils bossed possession at Old Trafford and had two penalty appeals involving Park Ji-Sung turned down.
But after Guillermo Franco hit United's upright with a cheeky back-heeled effort on 59, fit-again winger Ronaldo came off the bench on 62 and his cross set up a late chance for defender Jonny Evans, who steered a low header against the visitors' upright on 83 minutes.
Nani and Carlos Tevez forced decent saves from Diego Lopez, but Park was unlucky not to win at least one spot-kick after seemingly being fouled in the box by Sebastian Eguren and then Joan Capdevila.
Franco beat Edwin van der Sar but not the woodwork with his back-heel - but Ronaldo's introduction sparked United into life and only the post denied Evans a match-winner in the dying stages.
Afterwards Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes the reception Cristiano Ronaldo received during the goalless Champions League draw at home to Villarreal will have convinced the player he made the right decision in staying with the club.
"He has had a turbulent summer and a lot has been said about it but when I had my meeting in June in Portugal with him that was over," Ferguson said.
"He dedicated himself to getting fit and his commitment to the club.
"It (the crowd's reception) was important for Cristiano.
"I think he realises what a great club he is at and how loyal the fans are. He will take great encouragement from that."
Despite the disappointment of a draw in their opening Champions League match, Ferguson was relatively happy with the performance from a team which included a number of players short of match practice.
"We made a lot of good chances, we played really good football, we played with speed," he added.
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