They didn't roar like lions, but United restored some pride after last year's Champions League nightmare with a 1-0 win against Benfica in Lisbon.

Louis Saha's superb strike, aided by a slight deflection, made sure a hot-and-cold Reds display yielded three points and gave Sir Alex Ferguson's side further breathing space at the top of Group F.

Last December United exited European competition with a whimper, beaten 2-1 at the Estadio Da Luz and dumped to the bottom of what had seemed an easily navigable group.

The ghosts of that night have been laid to rest to some degree, with Sir Alex true to his pre-match word that there would be a different outcome this time.

There were periods, however, when it was easy to doubt his prediction. There's no denying that United were fortunate to be level at the interval.

In a poor first 45, the Reds' only clear-cut chance fell to Saha, who was brilliantly thwarted by Luisao as he charged in to convert the rebound from Ronaldo's spilled shot.

That was after 13 minutes, by which point Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes had already been booked for needless, clumsy challenges.

As was the case in last year's disappointing defeat in Lisbon, the hosts aimed to take advantage of the referee by going to ground a touch easily.