After returning to winning ways on the domestic front by beating Bolton on Saturday, the Red Devils also triumphed on the European stage last night, firing three goals past Aalborg to take a decisive hold on one of the qualifying spots in Group E.

The good news for Sir Alex Ferguson was that Ronaldo started both games.

And the 23-year-old's tumultuous summer, during which at one stage he appeared certain to join Real Madrid, does not appear to have affected him and neither does his ankle operation.

At one point, Ronaldo indicated his desire to move on had been fuelled by United's success last term, leading to a belief he had done all he can at Old Trafford.

However, the former Sporting Lisbon winger now insists he still has plenty to prove and is keen to make an impression once more.

"I am always ready for a challenge," he said.

"This season is the same. I will try to do my best, play like I did last year and help Manchester United win the title.

"I don't know if I can do it but I will try.

"If you don't try you don't get anywhere.

"I will do the same things again and hopefully opportunities will come."

Given he missed the first month of the season following ankle surgery, it seems highly unlikely Ronaldo will repeat the 42-goal haul that seems certain to see him crowned world player of the year in December.

Not only is time against him, but he also has a new team-mate eager to find the net as well.

Indeed, Ronaldo set Dimitar Berbatov up for the Bulgarian's spectacular second at the Energi-Nord Arena and is looking forward to a productive relationship with the 27-year-old.

"It is always good for forwards to score and get their confidence up so it was important Dimitar got his first goals for Manchester United," said Ronaldo.

"Everyone knows he is a good player. We just need time to get used to him because we have not played together before and his style is different to Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney.

"In two or three games we will be better together. He is a fantastic player and I am sure he will help the team a lot."

Ronaldo insists United still have a long way to go before they reach their peak.

He could also say the same about himself as he believes it will be another three weeks before the little twinges he still gets in his ankle finally go away.

"It will be another two or three weeks before I can give 100%," he said.

"I feel very good. There is good improvement there and I am very happy to be back.

"But my ankle has still not fully recovered. I still feel it a little bit.

"But the medical staff say that is normal and I feel very confident about the future."

The general feeling is Ronaldo will eventually leave, if not next summer then when 66-year-old Ferguson calls it a day.

Not that the Scot is going anywhere soon, as he made perfectly clear on Monday when he stated he would remain at United as long as he enjoyed the job and continued to feel fit and healthy.

Equally, Ronaldo seems to have settled down as well.

Clearly the bond between Ronaldo and Ferguson is strong, even though long-time assistant Carlos Queiroz, who has become a father figure to the player, has left to take charge of the Portugal national side.

"I feel very comfortable," said Ronaldo.

"I had my first game a couple of weeks ago against Villarreal and everyone appreciated the way I played.

"I feel very good in the club and I feel very happy. I want to carry on like that."