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8 March 2007, by Sean Gillen

Ronaldo magic sees United ease through

Manchester United 1-0 Lille (agg. 2-0)

Manchester United edged into Friday’s Champions League Quarter-Final draw after Henrik Larsson’s goal secured a victory over a spirited Lille side at Old Trafford.

The Swede headed home Cristiano Ronaldo’s superb cross in the second half as United survived what was another unimpressive performance from the Premiership leaders.

The match rarely provided much entertainment for the neutrals, with the opening ten minutes passing with little action before John O’Shea headed against the bar from a corner with what was United’s best opportunity of the half.

The visitors threatened from set pieces throughout the evening, and midfielder Jean Makoun should have given the French side a shock lead when he got his head to a Ludovic Obraniak delivery.

United continued to lack a cutting edge at the other end, with Paul Scholes’ deflected effort comfortable for Sylva and Carrick shooting well wide from twenty metres as they failed to turn good possession into goalscoring opportunities.

Ronaldo penalty claim

A rather dull first half brought a controversial moment when Ronaldo went down in the penalty area under a challenge from Chalme, only to be booked for diving. However, replays showed that the Portuguese was right to be surprised at the decision, as there was clear contact.

The opening stages of the second half saw Lille emerge with real intent, and Keita had already forced van Der Sar into a save before Odemwingie’s back-post header struck the upright during a nervous period for the hosts.

Vidic headed wide from a Rooney free-kick before Ronaldo proved the catalyst for United yet again at the crucial moment. The 22-year-old received the ball wide on the left and raced to the touchline before delivering a pinpoint left-footed cross for the unmarked Larsson to head past Sylva.

United boss Alex Ferguson then took a risk by replacing Larsson, Rooney and Ronaldo in the closing stages, as Keita again threatened with a bursting run before fizzing a shot across the face of van Der Sar’s goal.

Lille peppered the United goal with long-range shots and free-kicks in the closing stages but the Red Devils comfortably held out for another close-fought victory to put their name in the hat for the draw in Athens on Friday.

Man Utd:
Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Silvestre, Carrick, Scholes, O'Shea, Ronaldo (Richardson 82), Rooney (Park 82), Larsson (Smith 74)
Yellow Cards: Ronaldo (41) Richardson (86)

Lille:
Sylva, Chalme, Tavlaridis, Plestan, Tafforeau, Makoun, Dumont (Fauvergue 74), Keita, Obraniak, Michel Bastos (Debuchy 46), Odemwingie (Mirallas 74)
Yellow Cards: Makoun (31), Chalme (35), Tafforeau (50), Plestan (62)

Goals:
[1-0] Larsson, 72