Two glaring misses, a disallowed strike, and eventually a goal: Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United action was almost as eventful as the week that preceded it.
After goals by Marcus Rashford and Diogo Dalot, the Portugal star completed the scoring with a 3-0 win over Sheriff, the Moldovan minnows Sheriff.
It was Ronaldo’s first appearance since he was suspended for one match by manager Erik ten Hag for refusing to come off the bench against Tottenham.
It looked like another night of frustration for the icon at 37 years old, until the 81st-minute goal.
Ronaldo missed two chances in each half and was then disallowed for offside.
In response, the forward kicked the ball into the stands and spent most of the evening staring up at the stars in disbelief.
Even the goal that stood came after Maksym Koval saved Ronaldo’s point-blank header, but the United man was not to be denied on the rebound.
It was his first goal at Old Trafford this season and marked a small slice of redemption as the home faithful chanted ‘Viva Ronaldo’ in unison.
When asked about Ronaldo after the game, manager Ten Hag said: “He was great. He created opportunities and the team creates them for him.
“He needs a goal to get over that point and I am confident he will get more goals.”
