Man Utd fans snap up Ronaldo shirts at Old Trafford
Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo told Danny Murphy ‘where to go’ after a fiery exchange in 2004, according to the Liverpool legend. The Portugal international previously spent six years at Old Trafford. And he returned for more on deadline day, netting nine times across all competitions in the time since.
The Portugal international took his goal tally to nine for the campaign with a fine brace in their 2-2 draw with Atalanta in midweek.
Despite entering the twilight years of his career, the 36-year-old remains as mercurial and as determined as ever to win the biggest and best prizes in the game.
And Murphy has now opened up on the veteran.
The Liverpool legend scored the winner for the Reds when they went up against United and Ronaldo, then managed by Sir Alex Ferguson, in April 2004.
But he’s now revealed that Ronaldo should have seen red for a wild lunge on Murphy.
Man Utd star Cristiano Ronaldo has scored nine times since returning to Old Trafford (Image: GETTY)
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“He missed me thankfully, so I didn’t go over and, because I was cool and calm because we were winning, I put my hand out as if to say ‘don’t worry about it.’
“I gave him a little high-five or a slap – or whatever you want to call it – and he told me where to go.
“So I was fuming with him and I just thought. ‘I’ve just saved you a red card!’”
Ronaldo and United lost that day.
And it was a similar story recently, with Jurgen Klopp’s side battering the Red Devils 5-0 at Old Trafford.
Man Utd star Cristiano Ronaldo pictured in action against Liverpool in 2004 (Image: GETTY)
Ronaldo was powerless as Liverpool ran riot, with Mohamed Salah scoring a hat-trick.
But United have avoided defeat in their last two games due to Ronaldo, who has netted three times since.
Meanwhile, Paul Merson has admitted he was wrong about Ronaldo when he returned to Old Trafford earlier in the year.
The Arsenal legend previously expressed a belief the 36-year-old would struggle back in England.
But, speaking after Ronaldo’s heroics against Atalanta in midweek, Merson has now backtracked.
Man Utd star Cristiano Ronaldo told Danny Murphy 'where to go' back in 2004 (Image: GETTY)
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"It's got to be one of the best finishes of all-time; it's just out of absolutely nothing," Merson said of his late leveller.
"He didn't touch the ball in the second half. Not through his fault, he just didn't get the service. But it comes to him and there's no snatching at it, he hits through the ball perfectly.
"It's absolutely phenomenal and his first goal was brilliant as well.
"I was one of the big critics. I was one who wasn't sure about him coming back.
"But if you give him chances, he will score goals. Thirty-six or 46, it doesn't make any difference, he will finish.
"If you took away his two goals tonight, he's a two out of 10. But his two goals are phenomenal and I'm lost for words."