Cristiano Ronaldo elevated Manchester United’s nervous performance against Brighton last night with a moment of magic given a sight of goal.
Ronaldo fired past Robert Sanchez in the Brighton net with a shot which was hit so early, it gave the goalkeeper virtually no chance.
It was the Portuguese superstar’s first goal of 2022 and ended a goalless run of six matches, which was his longest such spell since the first time he was at United.
After the game, former United striker Andy Cole raved about Ronaldo on Premier League productions.
“804 career goals? Terrible, absolutely terrible,” joked Cole. “It was the first time Manchester United put Brighton under pressure.
“You’d expect him to hit the target from there and he’s done that. We know he’s a special player.
“It’s incredible – to be playing at the highest level at 37 now and still scoring goals. The goals that he’s got. He’s done almost everything in his career.
“But to still have that hunger and desire – that tells you everything.”
Last night, Ronaldo drew level with Cole on 93 Premier League goals for United.
Next in his sights is former teammate Ruud van Nistelrooy, who sits two strikes ahead on 95.
Ronaldo will expect to chase that down before long and it is to be hoped that this goal can restart some scoring form.
The Champions League also returns next week, and Ronaldo tends to save his best performances for those special nights. He almost single-handedly dragged United through the group stage, scoring in every European game he played in.
Ronaldo could have scored more on the night but United got the job done and now attention turns to the resumptions of the rivalry with Leeds United on Sunday afternoon.
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