Cristiano Ronaldo saved the best until last to down his old club for the second time this season and secure a top seeding in the Champions League knock-out phase for Manchester United.
After his one-man mission to inflict more damage on Sporting Lisbon appeared certain to end in frustration, Ronaldo stepped up to drive home a 25-yard free-kick in the second minute of stoppage time.
The Portuguese outfit must be sick of the sight of the man they nurtured through his formative years.
It was Ronaldo who settled the previous meeting between the sides in September and his sixth goal of United's European campaign will offer Sir Alex Ferguson some much-needed breathing space in his team selection for the final 'dead-rubber' against also-qualified AS Roma in a fortnight.
Given the potentially explosive trip to the Stadio Olimpico comes just five days before a blockbuster Premier League encounter with Liverpool at Anfield, Ferguson wanted his side's Champions League status wrapped up.
The Scot looked like being frustrated, having only Carlos Tevez's leveller to show for their second half efforts after a woeful opening period saw Abel put the visitors in front and had them threatening what would have only been United's eighth home defeat in European competition.
Instead, Ronaldo produced a touch of class when it mattered and not surprisingly, Tomasz Kuszczak was the first one to congratulate him at the final whistle.
Instead, Ronaldo produced a touch of class when it mattered and not surprisingly, Tomasz Kuszczak was the first one to congratulate him at the final whistle.
Kuszczak's blunder may not be dissected in quite the same manner as Scott Carson's inexplicable failure to keep out Niko Kranjcar's speculative shot at Wembley last week but if anything, the ramifications could be more serious, for the player at least.
Regular number one Edwin van der Sar is close to signing a one-year contract extension and England international Ben Foster has advanced sufficiently in his recovery from cruciate knee ligament surgery to at least be present on United's training ground, even if a first-team appearance is not expected until March.
However, with United out of the Carling Cup and needing to make up points on Arsenal in the Premier League, there is not that much room for experimentation. So, with every opportunity counting for the Poland star, it is little wonder he was left shaking his head in despair as he reflected on his mistake.
Abel deserves plenty of credit for the way he spotted the opening, then curled a superb shot in at the near post with the outside of his left foot from the right touchline.
However, Kuszczak could not escape blame, for it was his blatant anticipation of a cross which provided Abel with the space to finish.
Prior to the goal, the game had been memorable only for the appearance of a rodent sniffing around the Old Trafford pitch.
Abel's effort should have freshened United up, instead they just shrank into their shell and were fortunate Sporting did not double their advantage as Liedson was probably just onside when he was flagged off after turning home Anderson Polga's through ball.
Even Ronaldo became becalmed against his old club after previously appearing to be on a one-man scoring mission, darting through the visitors' defence on three occasions, without finding the finish.
Neither could Louis Saha get a decent connection on his shot when Ronaldo set him up with an impudent back-heeled through ball.
Just as at Bolton on Saturday, too many red shirts operated way below optimum levels and Ferguson must be concerned at the stuttering manner in which side have returned from their international break.
The United boss made his feelings on the first half debacle clear by introducing Ryan Giggs, who celebrates his 34th birthday on Thursday, and Tevez at the interval.
Tevez had the major impact, although United had to wait for their equaliser. Saha, who had an evening to forget, spurned a glorious chance when he delayed far too long after being set up by Ronaldo, while Nemanja Vidic nodded Giggs' corner wide.
The breakthrough eventually came thanks to Patrice Evra's scampering left-wing burst. Tevez knew little about it as Ronaldo's mis-hit shot from Saha's lay-off arrived at his feet but a firm deflection off the South American was enough to see United level.
Miguel Veloso, apparently a Red Devils transfer target, would have impressed most observers with an effective midfield display.
The Portugal international might even have capped his night with a goal too, only for his 20-yard strike to whistle just over.
The unedifying sight of Evra being booked for a blatant dive was not one which would appeal to Ferguson's sporting instincts but in the end Ronaldo gave the home fans something more palatable to remember.
