Fergie relieved to secure top spot

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was relieved to see his side clinch top spot in their Champions League group with a narrow 2-1 victory over Sporting Lisbon.

Cristiano Ronaldo's injury-time rocket of a free-kick against his former club won the match for the Red Devils, who improved markedly after the break following a dismal opening period.

The win made it nine straight home victories in the competition and continued their perfect record in Group F.

It also clinched top spot and, perhaps most importantly in the context of their season, made next month's final game at Roma a dead rubber.

With a visit to arch-rivals Liverpool to follow just four days later in the Barclays Premier League, it means he can send out a virtual second string against the Italians to ensure his men are ready for Anfield.

‘It is important in the sense that when we go to Rome I will be able to use all my squad,’ Ferguson said.

‘One or two might not travel because there's an important game coming up against Liverpool.

‘But we'll still play a team we hope can win the match.’

Ferguson was also left to wonder at Ronaldo's winner - barely deserved given United's stuttering display.

‘It was a marvellous strike,’ he said. ‘He's done it before, he works very hard at that but it was a truly exceptional goal.

‘I think that he always wants to do well against his old club because he owes a lot to Sporting Lisbon - they found him as a boy, he respects that and has great admiration for the club.’

Ferguson added: ‘We just marginally won it. We were not a great deal better but increased our game in the second half, more speed and tempo, and managed to just edge it.’

It had seemed an unlikely victory at half-time after a woefully out-of-sorts United lurched into the break a goal down.

Tomasz Kuszczak, brought in for the rested Edwin van der Sar, did himself no favours by allowing Abel's cross-shot from only a couple of yards inside the right touchline to beat him at the near post in the 21st minute.

Liedson had a second ruled out harshly for offside soon afterwards, but it was Ferguson's introduction of Carlos Tevez at the interval which swung the match back in United's favour.

The Argentina striker poked home an equaliser on the hour mark as United belatedly found their feet, before Ronaldo's injury-time belter settled matters at the last.

Sporting manager Paulo Bento admitted his side had struggled to deal with United's second-half onslaught - and then admitted he fully expects to sell midfield instigator Miguel Veloso to the Red Devils, or another European giant, at the end of the season.

‘I'm sure we are going to lose him because, taking into account the names of teams we are hearing about, we have no worries about losing him.’

Ferguson also confirmed Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney will be making their way back after injury within the next week.

Neville will play for the reserves on Thursday, and Rooney is expected to  be ready to face Fulham in the Premier League next Monday.

Meanwhile, Ferguson has backed Alex McLeish to succeed in the Premier League.

McLeish quit as Scotland head coach yesterday and is set to be revealed as the new boss at Birmingham today.

Manchester United manager Ferguson - who briefly also took charge of the Scottish national team after the death of Jock Stein - has no doubt McLeish will be a big hit in his first role south of the border.

‘I think Alex has proved himself as a successful manager, no matter where he is,’ said Ferguson.

‘His contribution to Scotland's success in the last few months has been fantastic - everyone in Scotland is so proud of him, because it's not an easy job.

‘He's brought great belief to that team-  and following on from what Walter (Smith) did, it's been a great period for Scotland.

‘Alex, absolutely no problems, he's a top manager.’