Ferguson salutes Ronaldo

Sir Alex Ferguson is confident Cristiano Ronaldo will go on to have the best years of his life at Manchester United.

The brilliant winger returned to haunt his old club Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday night, netting the only goal as United began their latest Champions League quest in the best manner possible.

Ronaldo nodded home Wes Brown’s cross just past the hour mark to open his account for a campaign Ferguson feels will see the 22-year-old at least equal last season’s 23-goal tally.

After spending seven of his formative years at Sporting, it was a bitter blow for the hosts, whose coach Paulo Bento is an old team-mate of Ronaldo.

Mourinho expecting £25m pay-off

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is in line to receive up to £25m in compensation after his departure from Stamford Bridge, BBC Sport understands. The Portuguese was swiftly replaced on Thursday by former director of football Avram Grant after three years in charge of the Blues.

But he still has another three years to run on his reputed £5.2m-a-year deal.

Lawyers for both sides are still working on the severance package that will include confidentiality clauses.

According to BBC football correspondent Jonathan Legard, discussions are said to be well advanced as the split was seen coming.

Legard has also been told Mourinho has felt a sense of relief since the departure.

Chelsea name Grant as new manager

Chelsea have confirmed that Avram Grant has replaced Jose Mourinho as the new manager at Stamford Bridge. The Israeli, who was the club’s director of football, will take charge alongside Steve Clarke.

“The club is delighted that in Avram we have an experienced man who can come in at a difficult time,” said the club.

BBC Sport revealed the news on Thursday morning as Mourinho said an emotional farewell to players at the club’s training ground in Cobham, Surrey.

Mourinho was then seen driving away shortly before the statement confirmed his successor.

The statement added: “In Steve we have a Chelsea man and he will be a crucial part of the management team going forward. Avram and Steve have our full confidence and support.”

Sporting Lisbon 0-1 Man Utd

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a second-half header on his return to Sporting Lisbon to ensure Manchester United’s Champions League campaign started with a victory. Ronaldo won warm applause from the home fans for his subdued response to converting Wes Brown’s cross after 61 minutes of a low-key encounter.

Wayne Rooney made a quiet comeback after recovering from a broken foot.

And United were grateful to keeper Edwin van der Sar, who made superb saves from Liedson and Tonel.

Rooney, as expected was restored to United’s line-up for the first time since sustaining his injury in their opening Premier League fixture against Reading.

Carlos Tevez dropped down to the bench, but Rooney and Ronaldo fed on scraps in a first 45 minutes in which United seemed set on containment.

Arsenal 3-0 Sevilla

Arsenal made a confident start to their Champions League campaign with a comfortable win over Sevilla. Cesc Fabregas’ shot deflected in off Julien Escude to put Arsenal ahead at the break, with Jesus Navas and Freddie Kanoute going close for the visitors.

Robin van Persie made it 2-0, tapping in from Fabregas’s free-kick and Sevilla never threatened to come back.

Eduardo sealed the points in injury time with a cool finish after good work by Alexander Hleb and Fabregas.

The Champions League debutants showed they were not daunted by the occasion when Navas’s long-range shot fizzed just over the top of Manuel Almunia’s goal.

But having survived this early scare, Arsenal went on the attack themselves, calling Sevilla keeper Andres Palop into action twice in quick succession.

Manager Mourinho leaves Chelsea

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has sensationally left Stamford Bridge by mutual consent, the club has confirmed. The news comes just 24 hours after the disappointing Champions League draw against Rosenborg.

BBC Radio 5live football correspondent Jonathan Legard understands Mourinho texted senior players, including skipper John Terry, with the news.

Mourinho joined Chelsea in the summer of 2004 and led them to the Premiership title in each of his first two seasons.

Last season they finished runners-up to Manchester United but won both the FA Cup and Carling Cup, a trophy they had also collected in 2005.