United back in trophy mode

Cristiano Ronaldo says Manchester United are now confident of adding major trophies to their title of world champions.

Ronaldo’s wonder goal against FC Porto last night was enough to earn the Red Devils a 3-2 aggregate win and a Champions League semi–final showdown with old rivals Arsenal.

“We have an opportunity to win everything and we are very confident that we can,” said the world player of the year.

In defeating Porto at the Stadio do Dragao, United became the first English team to beat their opponents on their own ground, with Ronaldo taking centre stage by rifling home from fully 35 yards after just six minutes.

“It is the best goal I have scored,” he said.

The goal put Porto on the back foot almost immediately.

And though United were forced to survive a few scary moments as the home side desperately tried to find a way through at the end, Sir Alex Ferguson was never seriously concerned his side would lose their lead.

The contributions of Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs, whose energy belied his 35 years, were crucial, as was the secure goalkeeping of Edwin van der Sar and the return of Rio Ferdinand from a groin injury.

But, as Ferguson acknowledged, none of it would have mattered without the contribution of Ronaldo, whose 20th goal of the season – and only his second in the Champions League since last year’s final – was enough to inflict Porto’s first defeat on home soil against English opposition.

“I will have to trawl a long way back through my memory bank to come up with anything as good as that,” said Ferguson.

“It was a sensational goal. It was a great strike and to do it so early gave us the platform to go on and win.

“It put them on the back foot and I really don’t think they had a chance after that.”