Sport
Stephanie Cockroft
Sep 11, 2021
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored on his first game back for Manchester United and noone is surprised.
The 36-year-old completed his move from Juventus on deadline day and was thrust straight into the starting line-up to play against Newcastle on Saturday – the second time he has debuted for the club in his career.
And, not only did the disputed GOAT score – he scored twice.
With all the hype around Ronaldo and the big move, many thought Ronaldo’s appearance on the scoresheet had a certain inevitability about it.
Not just that, but Ronaldo’s goal was also the only one scored in the opening 45 minutes in six Premier League matches.
And, yeah, for all those reasons, everyone had the same reaction after that first goal:
Ronaldo scores. Of course he does.— Gary Lineker 💙 (@Gary Lineker 💙) 1631371650
BREAKING: @Cristiano scores. Of course he does. https://t.co/4UmQ0qGgpi— Piers Morgan (@Piers Morgan) 1631371866
Of *course* he’s scored 🙄— Hannah Al-Othman (@Hannah Al-Othman) 1631371828
Of Course Ronaldo scores in his Manchester United debut he’s the goat 🐐— Brett (@Brett) 1631372068
There are 6 matches being played in the Premier League right now. Only one goal has been scored in all those matc… https://t.co/Q63Un9WvWb— FootballFunnys (@FootballFunnys) 1631372315
Of course he’s only gone and scored in his first game. ❤️— Dani Perrin (@Dani Perrin) 1631371686
Of course he’s scored… @ManUtd— Fourteen Admirals (@Fourteen Admirals) 1631371815
In and out of the stadium, fans were delighted. Ronaldo did not disappoint and, after the goal, he did his first trademark ‘siuuu’ celebration. The spectacle involves the player forward launching into the air, turning 180 degrees and bellowing “siuuu!” as he lands with outstretched arms.
76,000 fans erupting into a full stadium SUIIII was some moment. 😅 #MUFC @Cristiano— Nick Speakman (@Nick Speakman) 1631372568
Rio Ferdinand's reaction to Ronaldo's goal. https://t.co/2rA9rHDqNL— CristianoXtra (@CristianoXtra) 1631372676
Many were also obsessed with the reaction of two key figures in Ronaldo’s life – Sir Alex Ferguson and, more importantly, Ronaldo’s mum, who melted hearts with her emotional celebration:
Ronaldo’s mother #MUFC ❤️ https://t.co/tcK76SxvQO— Tom McDermott (@Tom McDermott) 1631372827
Cristiano Ronaldo scoring goals. Sir Alex Ferguson smiling. Nature is healing. https://t.co/mMnotJS2p0— FootballFunnys (@FootballFunnys) 1631372511
...And then the second came. Cue more praise and excitement:
Ronaldouble! What a goalscorer!— Gary Lineker 💙 (@Gary Lineker 💙) 1631373741
BREAKING: @Cristiano scores again. Incredible. https://t.co/8fsRfClr3M— Piers Morgan (@Piers Morgan) 1631373817
Welcome to the Ronaldo show. ⚽🔴 https://t.co/dkfxhyvN7S— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football Tweet ⚽) 1631373910
Like he never left 🤩👏🏾 @Cristiano— Marcus Rashford MBE (@Marcus Rashford MBE) 1631371910
It had to be him 😍 👏 @Cristiano #MUFC | #MUNNEW— Manchester United (@Manchester United) 1631371812
For the first goal, Ronaldo slotted the ball into the back of the net after Mason Greenwood’s speculative shot was spilled by goalkeeper Freddie Woodman.
CRISTIANO RONALDO’S FIRST GOAL ❤️ https://t.co/ZZZZGqVjxV— 🐝🦋 (@🐝🦋) 1631371695
The second goal, which put United 2-1 ahead, saw him race onto a through-ball from Luke Shaw and drill the shot through the legs of Woodman.
Not wishing to be upstaged by his compatriot, Bruno Fernandes then made it 3-1 to Manchester United, 10 minutes from time with a stunning effort from long range.
And then Jesse Lingard put the gloss on United’s afternoon by making it 4-1 in stoppage time.
During his first six-season spell at Old Trafford, Ronaldo wore the number seven shirt as he helped Sir Alex Ferguson’s side secure the Champions League and three Premier League titles before moving on to Real Madrid in 2009 at 24 years of age.
He went on to win several World Player of the Year awards amongst Champions League and Spanish title wins.
It’s fair to say he’s back with a bang.
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