Cristiano Ronaldo admitted shockingly how nervous he was before making his second debut for Manchester United. The sheer desire to do well and not let the fans who have so much hope in him to deliver was the reason for this nerve but if anyone can manage a situation so well with determination and high-level performance, that person is Cristiano.
He produced a spirited performance with his alertness and finishing to drag United ahead on two occasions when Newcastle United threatened to ruin his homecoming. What a way to reintroduce yourself to the United faithful with a wonderful and timely brace and it was as if he never left. His pace and technical ability gave him the second goal while his instinct got him the first goal.
The Ronaldo effect kicked in as his winning mentality rubbed off again on this team that finished second last season on the log. Despite Newcastle showing resilience and devastating attacking intentions, Ronaldo and his teammates made sure they end the game on a high note which made them score 4 goals with Jesse Lingard grabbing a late one after a spectacular Bruno Fernandes' thumping strike.
Varane should have given United the lead early on in the 20th minute after a brilliant Luke Shaw's corner kick. And 10 minutes after, Sancho had a brilliant run and he fed Cristiano who then fed Bruno Fernandes. He smashed home his shot and Sancho was unlucky not to get a touch at the end of the shot that was going wide. He would have deflected it goal-ward. Sancho played better against Newcastle than in his previous appearances which shows the effect Ronaldo brings to the team because everyone would want to be at their best to deliver the best of service to him.
United relied so much on their swift counter-attacks and another one was carved open in the 32nd minute Bruno found Sancho and his effort was blocked for a corner kick. The resulting corner was also headed straight at the goalkeeper by Harry Maguire.
Newcastle United would have themselves to blame in the 38th minute after they wasted a lovely chance. Saint-Maximim found Longstaff inside the box but he slipped and United started another counter from that slip-up. Cristiano had a shot that was blocked and the ball fell to Fernandes who tried to pick out Greenwood but Greenwood was unable to connect with the ball as it went wide.
Not to be denied for too long, United got their goal just before the halftime whistle went. Greenwood had a shot at the edge of the shot which the goalkeeper spilt and Ronaldo was on hand to pounce by tapping home the ball. What an easy goal to bundle home on a debut and credit to his instinct because he anticipated it when every other person stood still.
Newcastle started the second half well and got the reward for their efforts in the 56th minute when they produced their own swift counterattack. Almiron was released on the byline and he found Saint-Maximim who slowly released Manquillo on the side. He took his time and smashed home a shot that found the back of the net leaving De Gea helpless. He registered his first goal for Newcastle United with a brilliant strike.
Ronaldo has been used to grabbing all the attention and he proved it again in the 62nd minute when Shaw released Ronaldo after a perfectly timed run. Ronaldo dragged the ball and raced into the box with it. He fired his shot in between the legs of the goalkeeper to give United back the lead.
Joelinton almost dragged his side back level in the 68th minute when he did so well to strike the ball but De Gea managed to save it. The best goal of the game came in the 81st minute when Pogba found Fernandes and with so much space and time, Bruno produced a thumping strike that found the top left corner of the post. The two Portuguese players ran the show.
The introduction of Lingard also sparked another response from United as Lingard showed the same finishing and determination he had when he was on loan at West Ham last season. His good movement made him create a tiny opening for himself inside the box and it was enough for him to get his shot away and sensationally buried the chance.
United won the game 4-1 against Newcastle United on Ronaldo's homecoming and what a perfect welcome he got with the result and also with the welcome from the fans.
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