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Tag: Ronaldo

  • Ronaldo’s late goal helps Man Utd rally to a win

    Ronaldo’s late goal helps Man Utd rally to a win

    Cristiano Ronaldo scored a late header to secure victory as Manchester United came from two goals down to beat Atalanta 3-2 in a pulsating Champions League Group F at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

    Mario Pasalic put Atalanta ahead in the 15th minute, turning in Davide Zappacosta’s low ball from close range and United, with just one win in their last five games in all competitions, looked drained of belief.

    It was no great surprise when the Italian side doubled their lead in the 29th minute with Merih Demiral rising at the near post to glance in an angled header from a Teun Koopmeiners’ corner.

    Fred and Marcus Rashford missed good chances for United before the break but the home side got themselves back into the game in the 53rd minute.

    A clever ball from Bruno Fernandes allowed Rashford to cut in from the left and he picked his spot with a shot into the far corner.

    United drew level when Harry Maguire drilled the ball home at the back post after the stationary Atalanta defence failed to intercept a Fernandes ball across the box.

    Then came the winner as Luke Shaw whipped in a superb cross from the left and Ronaldo rose superbly to perfectly place a header past Musso.

    “I was right behind him. His leap, his timing, it was perfect right in the corner,” Maguire said.

    “We see it day in, day out in training and in the goals he has scored throughout his career. He has come up with a massive goal for us again in the Champions League.

    “We got the goals we needed and deserved and I think we deserved the win in the end. Yes, we made it difficult but it is a tremendous victory in the end,” he said.

    United top the group after three games on six points with Atalanta and Villarreal two points behind.

    The win also eases some pressure on United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who had come under criticism for the team’s recent poor form.

    “The fans are a big part of this club. The singing section there kept the players going with their belief. That is what you do at Manchester United on a Champions League night.

    “This corner of the stadium here are the best in the world. There is a bit of time when you are down as a supporter but you keep going.

    “I thought we played well first half too. Two chances, two goals. It had to stop if we are to survive. We have a habit of doing this at this club.

    “I thought we played well and they scored a goal out of nothing and then another set-piece. But they never stopped believing and kept going,” said Solskjaer.

    On the jeers directed at him and the players during the first half, Solskjaer said: “Don’t disrespect the players.

    “They play for Manchester United and they know they are the luckiest men in the world.

    “Tonight they are the luckiest men in the world because they get to play for Manchester United. That is what so many millions of boys and girls want to do.”

  • Cassano dismisses Cristiano Ronaldo as football legend

    Cassano dismisses Cristiano Ronaldo as football legend

    Former Real Madrid striker Antonio Cassano insists Manchester United ace Cristiano Ronaldo is overrated.

    Cassano admits he’s not a big fan of the Portuguese great.

    He told Bobo TV: “Is Cristiano Ronaldo the best player in history?

    “He doesn’t even rank in the top five. For me, Lionel Messi, Pele, Maradona, Cruyff and Ronaldo are phenomenal players at a different level.

    “If I had to change someone on the list, I would put Marco Van Basten.”

  • Dwight Yorke slams ‘nonsense’ claims about Ronaldo

    Dwight Yorke slams ‘nonsense’ claims about Ronaldo

    Manchester United Treble winner Dwight Yorke has branded claims they’re weaker with Cristiano Ronaldo as “nonsense”.

    Some pundits like Gary Neville claim Ronaldo’s lack of work off the ball is a ‘problem’ for United.

    “I think that is a load of nonsense, in my opinion,” Yorke told talkSPORT when asked if Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford was holding United back. “You have a world class player.

    “You play your best players, it is as simple as that. Players know exactly what those types of players bring to the table and other the players in that team do specific things to complement the attacking players.

    “For people to start saying he brings unbalance to United… yes, he probably isn’t as dynamic and whatever else he is, but Cristiano Ronaldo, in any team in the world, makes you a better team.

    “Players should get used to that and I really think when you look at United’s attacking players and the quality that they posses, they have one of the best squads in the country and, unfortunately, at this point in time, there is a question mark as to why United are not producing the goods as they should be at this present time.”

  • Ronaldo to Solskjaer: I’ll tell you when I should be rested

    Ronaldo to Solskjaer: I’ll tell you when I should be rested

    Manchester United ace Cristiano Ronaldo has told manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer not to bench him.

    Ronaldo delivered the message to Manchester United boss Ole after being on the bench for the 1-1 draw with Everton a fortnight ago.

    A United source told The Sun: “Ronaldo was extremely disappointed for being benched.

    “Ole presumed that he was tired after the Villarreal game, so he decided to only put him on early in the second half.

    “But Cristiano told him that he will tell him when he isn’t fit to play and that he wants to play in every single league game.

    “He also told him that he has come here to win trophies and that United need to play their most important players in all of the games.”

    Solskjaer benched Ronaldo for the Toffees’ visit, believing the 36-year-old needed a rest after playing a full game against Villarreal three days earlier — where he scored the 95th-minute winner.

    And Ron’s frustration was clear for all to see when he marched down the tunnel at the final whistle of the draw with Everton, having replaced Edinson Cavani after 57 minutes.

  • Ronaldo never deserved Ballon d’Or more than this year – Mendes

    Ronaldo never deserved Ballon d’Or more than this year – Mendes

    Super agent Jorge Mendes insists Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo should win this year’s Ballon d’Or.

    Ronaldo is among the 30 nominees for the award.

    Mendes told L’Equipe: “The numbers of Cristiano Ronaldo speak for him and should be enough to win another Ballon d’Or. The absolutely remarkable record of 115 goals for the Portuguese national team makes him the absolute record holder in the history of world football.

    “This year, he beat a record of 15 years, to which he is joined by the best scorer in the history of world football (794). This, which is the greatest achievement in football history, should be decisive in the attribution of the trophy because he continues to demonstrate that he is, without a doubt, the best player ever in the history of world football.

    “It’s true that it’s an individual trophy, but let’s not forget that Cristiano Ronaldo was the top scorer in the demanding Italian league, he was the top scorer at the last European (being the best scorer in the history of the competition), he holds the record for top scorer in the Champions League, is the only player in the world who has won everything in three different countries (championship, cup, super cup, best player, top scorer), with maximum competitiveness as in England, Italy and Spain – but with an absolutely unique regularity and with a commitment and a capacity to overcome.

    “From my point of view, the Ballon d’Or has a name: Cristiano Ronaldo. He has never so deserved the Ballon d’Or.”

  • Valdano reveals how Ronaldo’s tough advice shaped Benzema

    Valdano reveals how Ronaldo’s tough advice shaped Benzema

    Former Real Madrid GM Jorge Valdano has revealed how some home truths from Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo helped Karim Benzema get his career on track.

    Valdano says some sober advice from Ronaldo changed Benzema’s trajectory.

    “His change came from an improvement in his professionalism,” Valdano revealed. “The boy played with Cristiano, the super-professional. And Cristiano, who admires him a lot, told him: Boy, you’re not going to make it at Real Madrid like this.’

    “Karim learned from that advice. Intelligent people change for the better.

    “And Cristiano’s departure was also important for him because it forced him to assume that leading role.”

  • Ronaldo nets hat-trick in Portugal win over Luxembourg

    Ronaldo nets hat-trick in Portugal win over Luxembourg

    Cristiano Ronaldo was on fire as Portugal secured a thumping 5-0 win over Luxembourg on Tuesday.

    The Manchester United forward opened the scoring from the penalty spot after eight minutes before scoring from the spot again five minutes later.

    Fellow United star Bruno Fernandes made it 3-0 with a superb low shot.

    Joao Palhinha got himself on the scoresheet, but it was Ronaldo who stole the headlines after he sealed his hat-trick with three minutes remaining.

    The 36-year-old has extended his tally as the international goals record holder with 115.

    Ronaldo surpassed Ali Daei’s record of 109 goals last month.

  • How Man Utd signed Ronaldo in my back garden – Lineker

    How Man Utd signed Ronaldo in my back garden – Lineker

    England legend Gary Lineker claims that Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward signed Cristiano Ronaldo while in his back garden.

    One of the headline moves of the summer saw Ronaldo switch Juventus for Old Trafford, sealing a return to the Red Devils over a decade after he originally left for Real Madrid.

    Now, Lineker has revealed that at least part of the negotiations were carried out by Woodward from the former Tottenham striker’s back garden.

    “I’ll put my cards on the table,” Lineker told BBC Sport: “Ed Woodward’s a good friend of mine and he’s my neighbour. He signed Ronaldo when he was in my garden!

    “It was awesome. I knew when he walked in and he was on the phone to [Ronaldo’s agent Jorge] Mendes or someone. I hope I’m not giving too much away here, but he did sign him, so… yeah!

    “I’ve got a fantastic picture of him on the phone with him in the back garden, which I might share one day with his permission.”

  • Cavani to Ronaldo: You always want to play

    Cavani to Ronaldo: You always want to play

    Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani admits he’d like to play more this season.

    Cavani had a first start in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Everton.

    And opening up on his struggles in recent months, according to El Observador, he said: “In football, you have to always be ready. It’s one of the keys at the top level.

    “Sometimes you play more, sometimes you play less, managers make decisions, but that doesn’t stop the work to always be competitive.

    “The league has just started and I have needed to be, not quite like last year, but I’m there to be a part of it.”

    When asked what he made of Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival, he also added: “Those are things that happen, a lot of debate is created, but football is football and you don’t have to turn it around too much, it’s not because one or the other is there.

    “The important thing is to be prepared for when it’s your turn, you always want to play, he wants to be there forever, but that is not going to change my way of thinking or acting.”

  • Alex Ferguson corrects Solskjaer: Ronaldo should have started against Everton

    Alex Ferguson corrects Solskjaer: Ronaldo should have started against Everton

    Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson believes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should have started Cristiano Ronaldo against Everton.

    The Red Devils could only manage a 1-1 draw against the Toffees, despite dominating possession for long portions of the contest on Saturday in the Premier League.

    Ronaldo, who has made an impressive goal scoring start to the season, did not come on until later in the second half.

    Edinson Cavani got the nod to start in his place, after Ronaldo’s heroics in the Champions League against Villarreal in midweek.

    A video posted by MMA legend Khabib Nurmagomedov included a conversation with Sir Alex, with Ferguson saying, “you should always start your best players.”

    “But I also think that they [Everton] saw Ronaldo wasn’t playing…”

    Khabib replied: “Yeah, but he came on in the second half…”

    And the Scotsman responded: “I know but you should always start with your best players.”

    Asked whether he regretted his decision to bench Ronaldo against Everton, Solskjaer said: “No!

    “You make decisions throughout a long, long season and you have to manage the players workload and the decision for me was the correct one.

    “Anthony Martial came in and did well, scored a good goal. Edinson needed minutes, he got an hour and could have had a goal. It was a great cross and good chance for him. We have to make those decisions at times.”