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Paul Merson almost predicted exactly how Cristiano Ronaldo would score for Man Utd
Cristiano Ronaldo scored the first goal of his second Man Utd spell against Newcastle United.
Solskjaer confirms Cristiano Ronaldo will feature against Newcastle
Arsenal icon Paul Merson almost predicted exactly how Cristiano Ronaldo would score the first goal of his second Manchester United spell. The legendary forward sensationally scored the opening goal against Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon.
United completed the incredible return of Ronaldo on transfer deadline day, culminating a remarkable saga.
The 36-year-old decided to leave Juventus after three years in Italy. Manchester City reportedly led the race to seal a controversial transfer for the United legend.
But the Red Devils jumped ahead of the queue and on August 27 announced a deal in principle had been agreed to bring Ronaldo back to the club 12 years after he left for Real Madrid. The paperwork was finalised four days later.
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer handed Ronaldo his second debut for the club from the start in Saturday’s Premier League clash with Newcastle.
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The Portugal captain inevitably scored at Old Trafford. Freddie Woodman spilled Mason Greenwood’s effort after the teenager had cut inside from the right wing.
Ronaldo was on hand to tap into an empty net.
And it was almost exactly how former England midfielder Merson said Ronaldo would score.
The 53-year-old believes that many of Ronaldo’s goals will come from the striker being in the right place to follow up saved efforts from the likes of Greenwood and Jadon Sancho.
Ronaldo started in attack alongside the pair against the Magpies.
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“Ronaldo is just not going to be the player that beats the players," Merson said.
“You watch him when he was at Manchester United before, he was extraordinary.
“The stuff he was doing, the foot overs, I mean, my telly fell off the stand once. It just went, the cameraman man went, the lot. He was that good.
“He will score you goals if you put the ball in the box.
“My problem is Rashford, Greenwood or Sancho are not playing when they are all fit, they are three very talented footballers, they are the future of Manchester United.
"I know they are going to learn off this man but at the same time, Ronaldo needs crosses, in my opinion. We see that against the Republic of Ireland, put the ball in the net, the man is a finisher.
“They [Man Utd) play with two wingers who don’t cross the ball, they play with Sancho who wants to cut inside and have a shot and play one-twos.
“They play with Greenwood on the other side who really wants to come inside, or even go on the outside and have shots."