Ronaldo rocket carries United to semi-finals (Roundup)

By Ben James Apr 15, 2009, 21:08 GMT

Porto, Portugal - A stunning goal from Cristiano Ronaldo gave Manchester United a 1-0 victory over Porto on Wednesday, taking them into the Champions League semi-final by a 3-2 aggregate.

No English side had ever won in the Dragao Stadium, but then none perhaps have ever been able to call on a player to capable of the spectacular as Ronaldo.

He was deployed centrally, with Wayne Rooney playing wide on the right, something Ronaldo admitted he finds tough.

'It's not my favourite position, but maybe if I play there I'll learn a few points,' he said.

'I'll play right wing, left wing, centre it doesn't matter.'

It wasn't just about Ronaldo, though; this was also a solid team performance.

'They did well,' said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. 'They showed good concentration at the back.

'They defended really well. If we get back to that stability at the back, we can do well.'

Ferguson had publicly criticised Ronaldo's attitude in the build- up to the game, and he could hardly have responded more positively.

No players has had more shots in the Champions League this season, making his return of a solitary goal look paltry.

But the doubts clearly hadn't affected Ronaldo.

Given space 40 metres from goal, he unleashed a thunderous shot that flashed across Helton and into the top right-corner.

'It was unbelievable, a magnificent hit,' Ferguson said. 'It took them all by surprise - the goalkeeper's got no chance.'

That galvanised United, and they were far more controlled than they had been in the first leg.

Hulk, in particular, having caused such problems for United at Old Trafford, was subdued, perhaps because of the return of Rio Ferdinand after injury.

Bruno Alves put a header just wide, but that aside Porto, whose coach Jesualdo Ferreira was absent serving a touchline ban, were largely restricted to long-range efforts before half-time.

The best two chances of the first half, in fact, fell to United.

Ryan Giggs volleyed a Wayne Rooney cross powerfully but too close to Helton, and then a lunging Nemanja Vidic fired over after John O'Shea had flicked on a Ryan Giggs corner.

Ferguson said at half-time that his side would be seeking a second goal, but that rarely seemed likely.

His side were for the most part comfortable, playing the game at their tempo and in the Porto half, but the longer the game went on, the edgier United became - even if Ferguson denied any nerves.

'I couldn't see the danger - one or two half-chances, but I thought we controlled that part well,' he said.

Five years ago at Old Trafford in the last 16, United led Porto 1- 0 for a long period, a scoreline that would have taken them through on the away goals rule, only to be undone in the last minute.

The danger of a repeat was always possible, and a bad misjudgement from Edwin van der Sar with 13 minutes remaining gifted Raul Meireles a chance. He headed wide.

The best chance in injury-time, though, fell to Ronaldo, whose low drive was well saved by Helton.

He believes that with confidence restored, United can return to their form of a month or two ago.

'In the last five six games we didn't play great, but I hope this changes the way,' he said.

'We started the season great but after we went down a bit.'

United will face Arsenal in the semi-final, after Arsene Wenger's side beat Villarreal 3-0 to progress 4-1 on aggregate.