Ronaldinho shines in Barca win

There was much-needed relief for Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who saw his side rebound from a 2-1 defeat to Blackburn Rovers at the weekend by beating Benfica 2-1 at home — Ruud Van Nistelrooy grabbing a late winner.

United’s premiership rivals Arsenal also put aside their mediocre premiership form by edging Ajax 2-1 in Amsterdam despite fielding a severely weakened side.

While other giants like Bayern Munich and Juventus recorded their second successive victories in the campaign there was an outstanding victory by Swiss minnows Thun, who beat Sparta Prague thanks to a last minute goal by Selver Hozdic.

Ronaldinho was in masterful form scoring from a free-kick, a beautiful slide rule shot from the edge of the box and a late penalty to round off his performance.

He was in such generous form that he handed his shirt to Udinese coach Serse Cosmi — whose side were not helped by leaving Recalcitrant Italian international striker Vincenzo Iaquinta at home and then being reduced to 10 men for most of the second-half with Vidigal being sent off — afterwards for a gift for his son.

“It was a kind gesture from Ronaldinho, though if he’d scored fewer goals then I’d have happily lost out on the shirt!” joked Cosmi.

By contrast Manchester United handler Sir Alex Ferguson was in far feistier form as he combatively shrugged aside criticism of his side’s tactics against a side that probably merited a draw.

“We did exactly the same thing on Saturday (the defeat by Blackburn) as we did tonight and no, I am not going to explain myself,” said Ferguson.

“You have your own ideas on the game, carry on. I don’t want to blunt your imagination.”

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was in a more positive frame of mind than his bitter rival after seeing his side record their second successive victory in the campaign.

He was especially impressed by England defender Sol Campbell, who had a nightmare season last term culminating with being left out of the side that won the FA Cup.

“I think what you saw tonight was the Sol of the 2003-04 season. He was terrific,” purred the Frenchman.

“I think he will get a call up now for the England squad.”

Campbell, who returned after months on the sidelines with a calf problem in Arsenal’s opening group B win against FC Thun, was more than satisfied with his form.

“I’m ready, as simple as that,” he said when asked if he was expecting a call from England manager Sven Goran Eriksson.

If Wenger was over the moon about Campbell the same could not be said for Juventus coach Fabio Capello and his Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

While he did get on the scoresheet for Juventus in the 3-0 victory over Rapid Vienna he was not the toast of Turin as far as Capello was concerned.

“In looking for his first goal of the season he was too selfish,” Capello said after his team’s second European win in as many matches which moved them closer to the knockout stages.

“On one occasion in the second half when (Alessandro) Del Piero was completely free, he ignored the better option and preferred to shoot. He made several mistakes and we will discuss it.”