Benfica 0 - 1 Manchester United

Rarely convincing against a side responsible for their embarrassingly-early European exit 12 months ago, United nevertheless carved out a triumph based on grit, determination and the flair provided by Cristiano Ronaldo.

If the one-fingered gesture he produced as he left the Stadium of Light last year saw him depart in disgrace, Ronaldo could have got away with another on this occasion, signalling the margin of victory.

Though Saha took the glory with his third goal in two Champions League games, it was Ronaldo who threatened more, especially in the latter stages as the visitors looked to exploit the gaps left by a Benfica side desperate to force a deserved equaliser.

The victory cemented United's position at the top of Group F, although concern still lingers about the form of Wayne Rooney, who worked hard without looking like ending a barren streak in this competition that now extends to 11 matches.

Looking decidedly heavy legged, he was replaced by Darren Fletcher five minutes from time.

Having expressed total faith in Rooney prior to kick-off, Sir Alex Ferguson hardly helped his young striker by stationing him on the left side of what was supposed to be a three-man support team playing just behind lone striker Saha.

However, with most of United's attacks coming down the other flank, Rooney was a virtual bystander.

Not that Rooney was on his own in trudging away from the opening period feeling he had not done himself justice.

For a player of such supposed high calibre, Michael Carrick gave the ball away far too often.

It was Nemanja Vidic, though, who gifted possession to Paulo Jorge and presented Benfica with the best opportunity of the opening period.

Jorge quickly found Nuno Gomes, who took aim from 20 yards, only for Edwin van der Sar to make a good save.

The Dutchman was certainly one of United's most effective performers, along with Gabriel Heinze, who marked his first European outing since rupturing cruciate ligaments in Villarreal last season with typical tenacity.

Ronaldo too rose above average, leaving Georgios Karagounis for dead with a smart turn before letting fly with a stinging 25-yard shot that proved too much for Quim to hold.

Had Saha's luck been in, he might have been presented with a tap-in. As it was, the ball bounced up awkwardly as the Frenchman rushed in, struck him on the chest and bobbled wide.

If anything, Benfica took an even firmer stranglehold on the contest at the start of the second half but United soon went ahead.

A piece of trademark quick thinking from Paul Scholes saw him send Ronaldo racing forward with a pass delivered from inside his own area. As he accelerated forward, Ronaldo had the vision to spot Saha lurking to his right and, after rolling the pass onwards, the Frenchman continued his run, stepped inside, then smashed a superb shot into the top corner.

The goal gave the game a totally different complexion and it took a remarkable triple save from Quim, who denied Ronaldo, Fletcher and Carrick a minute from time, to prevent United doubling their margin of victory.