The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Manchester

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo hit a stoppage-time stunner that clinched a 2-1 win over Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday and ensured his side will finish top of Champions League Group F.

United trailed after Tomasz Kuszczak misjudged Abel's long range strike but Carlos Tevez came off the bench to equalise and Ronaldo stole the points at Old Trafford with a superb free-kick. Sir Alex Ferguson's under-strength team rarely hit peak form against a determined Sporting team, but they can now afford to take it easy in their final match at Roma on December 12.

The United boss had made it clear he wanted to win the group so they would face one of the runners-up in the first knockout round and avoid the likes of AC Milan.

Barcelona and Real Madrid.

So it was mission accomplished for Ferguson, who is certain to leave several of his key players at home when United travel to the Italian capital to keep them fresh for the crunch domestic clash at Liverpool four days later.

Ronaldo's winner eliminated his former club from the race to qualify alongside United. He had scored the decisive goal in Lisbon earlier this season as well so they will be sick of the sight of the Portugal winger.

Ferguson welcomed back Ronaldo and Nemanja Vidic after injury but, with United's place in the last 16 already secure, he opted to rest Tevez, Ryan Giggs, Owen Hargreaves and Edwin van der Sar.

But although United started brightly, with Ronaldo scything through the defence before his pass to Louis Saha was smothered, that promise quickly faded.

Saturday's bruising defeat against Bolton had clearly left the Premier League champions with mental and physical scars.

While United had their wounded pride to salve after the battering at Bolton there was more at stake for Paulo Bento's team, who knew they had to win.

Joao Moutinho set the tone when the midfielder dragged a long range shot narrowly off-target.