Ronaldo reacts to match-winning Man Utd return
Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed how he felt before making his second Manchester United debut.
It proved to be a spectacular return for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who returned to the club from Juventus on Deadline Day.
With the match heading towards a 0-0 draw at the break, Ronaldo tapped in from close range to give the Red Devils the advantage before the interval then struck what proved to be the winner after Newcastle hit back in the second half.
Goals from Bruno Fernandes and Jesse Lingard sealed a 4-1 victory.
Ronaldo on second Man Utd debut
Despite all the things that Ronaldo has achieved in his career, he admitted that his Man Utd return was an event that was special.
“I was very nervous. Maybe I didn’t show it but I was,” he admitted. “The reception was incredible. I’m here to win games, to help the club win.”
Reflecting upon the feeling he experienced after he netted the opening goal before performing his iconic celebration, he added: “It was unbelievable moment. I was super nervous. And I was thinking last night that I just want to play good, to show that I can still help the team.
“When I started the game, I was super nervous, I heard everyone singing my name and it was unbelievable.”
Ronaldo set a Premier League record for time between appearances in the league and in netting ensured that he has the second longest period between goals.
His previous goal came against Manchester City in April 2009, which was 12 years and 124 days ago.
The only player to have gone a longer period between goals is Matt Jackson, who had to wait 13 years between scoring for Everton in 1993 and Wigan in 2006.
Ronaldo, though, will expect to score many more for Man Utd over the duration of his stay with the club, which will be for at least two more years.