Manchester United continued their fine start to the season when Newcastle came to visit Old Trafford in the first game back after the international break.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer named a strong team, with all three major summer signings starting the game. Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho had both made their debuts but it was Cristiano Ronaldo’s homecoming that stole all the headlines.
The 36-year-old was, as expected, in inspired form and marked his return to Old Trafford with two goals. A first-half opener was canceled out in the second half by Newcastle but the Portugal international wasted no time in regaining United’s lead.
Ronaldo latched onto a delicate pass from Shaw and slotted the ball through the legs of the goalkeeper and was met by a raucous reception by the crowd.
Read more: Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes light up Old Trafford – match report
The Norwegian boss has now delivered his verdict on Ronaldo’s double and revealed that he gave a ‘little’ speech to the rest of the squad the night before.
“Ronaldo did a speech to the boys last night,” Solskjaer is quoted as saying by the official Manchester United website. “It’s just perfect for him, you see what he’s about, sensing the moment, smelling the danger. But he’s also evolved into a proper team player.
“You got to be there to score the goals too and he knows where the goals are getting scored. There’s not many in the world who have scored more goals than him, so I’m very pleased. The whole team were patient. It was never going to be easy.”
