Manchester
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 119th Manchester United goal and first for 12 years to open the scoring against Newcastle on Saturday to get his second spell with the Red Devils off to a flying start.
The Portugal attacker tapped home in first-half stoppage time after Newcastle goalkeeper Freddie Woodman could only parry Mason Greenwood’s shot.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who left United to join Real Madrid in 2009, returned to the club where he made his name as a global star last month from Juventus.
Since joining United Ronaldo broke the all-time international goal-scoring record with his 110th goal for Portugal in a World Cup qualifier win against the Republic of Ireland.
Having being suspended for the subsequent game against Azerbaijan for removing his shirt in celebration, he jetted to England and has been training with his new team-mates for the past few days.
Ronaldo is joined by United’s other summer signings Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho in a star-studded team also including Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes.
“He’s been having a good pre-season with Juventus, he’s played for the national team, he’s had a good week with us here,” Solskjaer said. Ronaldo won three Premier League titles and the Champions League during six trophy-laden years with United, before going on to shine with Real and Juventus.
It seemed United would miss out on a reunion with their former star when Manchester City moved to sign him. But Ronaldo has said his relationship with former United manager Alex Ferguson played a key role in convincing him to return to Old Trafford, calling the move “a dream come true”.
Solskjaer, who played with Ronaldo during his first spell at the club, said: “Of course we’ve followed his career from afar since he left here and I think everyone’s very happy to have him back.—AFP
