Manchester United take on Burnley tonight looking for a second win over the Clarets in the last two months.
United beat Burnley 3-1 at the end of December, with Cristiano Ronaldo among United’s goalscorers.
Burnley’s scorer that night was Aaron Lennon, another veteran who played against Ronaldo during his first stint in the Premier League.
Lennon spoke to The Times ahead of tonight’s fixture and said he enjoyed going up against Ronaldo again and regards him as ‘probably the greatest’.
The ex-Spurs winger said: “We were both joking about the fact that we’re still playing against each other after all these years.
“He thought I was older than him, so we were having a laugh about that. He said, ‘How old are you now?’ I told him I was only 34 and he said, ‘What?!’ I said, ‘I know, I’ve been in the game a long time, mate.’
“I have played against him a few times before. We both used to play on the wings as well so we would always cross paths and have a good chat.
“He’s a phenomenon. He’s probably the greatest. I have so much respect for him. He is an inspiration for me.”
Ronaldo searching for best form
Ronaldo’s goal against Burnley was a tap-in after Scott McTominay hit the bar, and it came after he spurned a clear cut one on one. He has not netted since.
The superstar did miss two games due to a hip injury, but he has now gone four matches without a goal and has also missed a penalty.
It is not even guaranteed Ronaldo starts tonight after his FA Cup display, and there is a strong case for Edinson Cavani to replace him.
He has only scored twice under Ralf Rangnick so far and his anxiety of not netting yet in 2022 is beginning to show.
Ronaldo is still United’s top scorer this season with 14 goals, United just need him to start kicking on and showing why he is the ‘phenomenon’ Lennon describes.
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