Video: Boavista 2001

Ten years ago today (5 December), United ensured they would go into the Champions League winter break in a strong position to make the knockout stages following a convincing home win over Portuguese champions Boavista.

It took the Reds half an hour to get into gear, Phil Neville dispossessing Erwin Sanchez inside his own half before swapping passes with Juan Sebastian Veron and then squaring for Ruud van Nistelrooy to sweep Sir Alex Ferguson's side in front.

Veron also had a hand in the Reds' second goal, when his corner was met by an unmarked Laurent Blanc who headed home, before van Nistelrooy rounded off the scoring, taking Dwight Yorke's through ball in his stride and firing past Ricardo.

The win made it four points from two games in the second group stage. The Reds went on to reach the semi-finals before bowing out to Bayer Leverkusen on away goals.

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