Ronaldo nets brace on second Manchester United debut
Bruno, Lingard score as Red Devils hammer Newcastle
Cristiano Ronaldo marked his return to Old Trafford with a remarkable performance in front of goal as he led Manchester United to a 4-1 defeat of Newcastle United in their Matchday Four encounter.
Ronaldo completed his move to Manchester United on transfer deadline day, returning to Old Trafford after 12 years away from the club. The Portuguese forward became the all-time leading scorer in international football with a brace in Portugal’s win during the international break before he resumed training with the Red Devils.
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer named Ronaldo in the starting lineup for Manchester United against a Newcastle side that has started the season rather poorly. The home side struggled to carve open a deep Newcastle United backline before the inevitable Ronaldo struck in first half added time.
Teenage forward Mason Greenwood received the ball on the right flank before proceeding to cut inside and shoot on his left foot. Greenwood’s shot was deflected and caused Newcastle goalkeeper Freddie Woodman to awkwardly parry the ball into the path of Ronaldo, who stabbed the ball home from close range to open the scoring on his second debut.
Newcastle looked much better in the second half and equalised just 10 minutes in through Spanish defender Javier Manquillo. The right-back was set up by Allan Saint-Maximin before firing a low shot beyond David De Gea.
The parity lasted just six minutes before Ronaldo put Manchester United back in front as he converted a pinpoint pass from Luke Shaw in the 56th minute, sending the Old Trafford crowd into raptures.
The Red Devils’ Portuguese magnifico Bruno Fernandes added a third with a magnificent strike from all of 25 yards in the 80th minute to seal the points for the home side, with Paul Pogba assisting his sixth goal this season.
Pogba set up another goal in the 92nd minute as his pass was expertly finished off by substitute Jesse Lingard, who curled home a fine finish beyond Woodman.
Manchester United have gone top of the Premier League following an explosive second debut from the iconic Cristiano Ronaldo. Newcastle United have dropped down to 19th in the league, having picked up only one point so far in their opening four matches.
