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Cristiano Ronaldo scores in fairy-tale return to the Theatre of Dreams


United welcomed Newcastle at Old Trafford in game week 4 of the English Premier League 2021-2022 season. This time, this classic fixture recieved special attention worldwide. All eyes were on Cristiano Ronaldo – who scored twice in his fairytale return to the club.

Team News: Ronaldo gets second debut

United were clear favourites. The primary target of course was to secure 3 points. Secondary objectives in Ole’s mind would be to do so by playing great football and give minutes to players on the bench.

Newcastle boss and United legend Steve Bruce on the other hand were winless after the first 3 games of the season. They would be happy to get a point. As for Man United, anything other than a win against would be hugely disappointing.

Ole named an unchanged defensive line-up that played against Wolves 3 weeks ago. Raphaël Varane made his Old Trafford debut.

Scott McTominay was ruled out due to lack of full fitness. Fred Rodrigues made the bench most possibly due to lack of readiness caused by Brazilian FA’s COVID protocol fiasco earlier in the week. Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic started at center midfield.

Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood started as the attacking trio in front of midfield. And, of course, the man in the limelight, Cristiano Ronaldo, started as the striker.

Match Report

When the whistle goes off it’s reality. All the joy surrounding Ronaldo’s arrival is replaced by the greater objective of winning.

United started on the front foot. Newcastle, as expected put 10 players in two defence lines. As the minutes passed United found it difficult to penetrate Newcastle’s defence. The most frustrating of it all was Newcastle players’ blatant time-wasting tactics, especially by their goalkeeper. Time wasting started from the first minute.

Just when everyone seemed to accept it was going to be goalless at the break, Cristiano rose to the occasion. A Greenwood low drive from outside the box was deflected by Newcastle defender, which their goalkeeper managed to save. But Cristiano was already there on the rebound and tapped it in! It may look like an easy tap-in, but Ronaldo’s movement to confuse a pair of Newcastle defenders made it possible. A perfect poacher goal. United lead 1-0 at the break.

Newcastle shocked the Old Trafford faithful by levelling the score early in the second half. Who’s to blame? Harry Maguire, probably. He did have a good game though.

Champaign Football: Ronaldo, Bruno, Pogba magic

Reaction was needed, and it came. Luke Shaw delivered a through pass to Ronaldo which lacked a little weight. The sprinting Portuguese took it well with his right foot and drove the ball into the net with a left-footed low drive between the goalkeeper’s feet. 2-1! Old Trafford with a deafening roar!!

United took control of the game from then on. The most spectacular goal of the day came from Bruno Fernandes. One just has to watch this one – no more words needed. It was a thunderous strike! Assist? Paul Pogba! These two are really turning up this season. We all hope it continues long!

Donny Van de Beek, Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard were brought on by Ole. Both players contributed to the fourth goal. It was such a magnificent team goal. Started with quick passing outside Newcastle’s D-box. Pogba pulling the strings – that was Pogba at his best. His brilliant dribbling and then a quick pass exchange with Donny was followed by his pass to Martial who let it go to Lingard. He dodged one defender and put the ball beautifully into the net with a placement shot!

The match finished 4-1 to United. Ronaldo with a brace, and Bruno, Lingard with 1 goal each. Pogba provided 2 assists, making it 7, SEVEN, in 4 games! Shaw provided the all-important assist for Ronaldo winner.

Closing Thoughts

The match made history even before it started. Millions of fans worldwide have been dreaming about seeing Cristiano play for United again, and today it came true.

Credit goes to Ole, the coaching team and everyone involved. It was a great performance by the whole squad. The players wrote another story in Manchester United folklore.

Cristiano was very nervous. Imagine the world watching you, the fanfare, all the media coverage, Sir Alex and his family in attendance, along with many other who gets guaranteed screen time live. All that attention is so much pressure. But Ronaldo is just Ronaldo. He rose above the occassion, like he always does.

A day that made many dreams become one reality.

The journey continues.


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