Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice on his return to Manchester United as the hosts eventually cruised to victory against Newcastle to send Old Trafford into raptures.
Cheered from the moment he left the team coach on its arrival at the ground, throughout the warm-up and then once the game had started, Ronaldo repaid the backing in the best possible manner.
Twelve years after he last scored for Manchester United in this stadium, Ronaldo broke the deadlock in first-half added time when he tapped in after visiting keeper Freddie Woodman spilled Mason Greenwood’s shot.
Then, after former Liverpool defender Javier Manquillo had levelled with his first Newcastle goal, Ronaldo finished off a flowing move by racing onto Luke Shaw’s through ball and drilling a low shot through Woodman’s legs.
His international team-mate Bruno Fernandes then rifled in the goal of the game as he collected Paul Pogba’s square pass and curled a shot into the top corner from the edge of the area. Substitute Jesse Lingard added a fourth in added time.
Ronaldo admits it felt “magical” to be back at Manchester United’s “Theatre of Dreams”, with the Portuguse enjoying a two-goal second debut for the Red Devils against Newcastle.
Ronaldo has said on social media: “My return to Old Trafford was just a brief reminder of why this stadium is known as the Theatre of Dreams.
“For me, it has always been a magical place where you can achieve everything you set your mind into.
“Along with all my team-mates and with the amazing support that we always get from the stands, we face the road ahead with confidence and optimism that we’ll all be celebrating together in the end.
“Proud to be back at Man. United and playing in the Premier League once again, but above all, happy to help the team!
