Ronaldo return can fire United title defense

LONDON, England (AP) -- Cristiano Ronaldo returns to Champions League action on Tuesday in a bid to kickstart Manchester United's title defense after the club's jittery start.

Ronaldo's return can kickstart Manchester United's European title defense after the club's jittery start.

The Portuguese winger, who scored 42 goals during United's double triumph in Europe's top club competition and the Premier League, is back to full fitness after an ankle operation.

After a 0-0 draw with Villarreal in a group which is searching for its first goal, the Red Devils hope Ronaldo will be the catalyst to a much-needed victory against Danish side Aalborg.

Ronaldo scored in United's League Cup 3-1 win against Middlesbrough last week and in Saturday's 2-0 Premier League victory over Bolton.

Ronaldo faces an Aalborg defender who almost missed the game through a suspension he did not deserve.

Michael Beauchamp was sent off in the 0-0 draw with Celtic in Glasgow but the referee had sent off the wrong player.

When Aalborg appealed and UEFA realized that Michael Jakobsen had committed the foul that led to his red card, Beauchamp won a reprieve. He will now face United while Jakobsen serves the one-game ban.

"Luckily everything has been put to rights," the Australian defender said. "Apart from the referee, everyone could see it wasn't me but Michael Jakobsen who made the challenge."

"Now I'm available for a dream match which my parents are flying over from Australia for," Beauchamp said. "Strictly speaking our chances of winning are minimal. Instead we're viewing this match primarily as a great experience."

Celtic goes to Villarreal in the other Group E game with both clubs coming off domestic victories at the weekend.

Like Man United, Arsenal had a shaky start to its Champions League campaign, needing a late equalizer at Dynamo Kiev.

But their 2-1 loss at home to Hull City on Saturday was one of the biggest shocks since the Premier League started 16 years ago. Arsene Wenger needs a home victory over Group G leader FC Porto to steady the nerves of the Gunners fans.

"I don't know if we can afford to lose again but what we delivered (against Hull) was not good enough," Wenger said. "We know that. So the important thing now is not how many games we can lose this season but preparing well for Tuesday night."

Porto won their opening game 3-1 against Fenerbahce which hosts Kiev.