Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice on his Manchester United homecoming against Newcastle and then promised to make the club and their fans proud.
Back at Old Trafford in a red shirt for the first time in 12 years, the 36-year-old was the star of the show as he enjoyed a dream second debut for the club.
Ronaldo opened the scoring from close range in first-half stoppage-time and fired United back into the lead after Javier Manquillo had drawn Newcastle level early in the second half.
That one was for you, Reds ❤️#MUFC | #HereWeBelong pic.twitter.com/7pZE8kKWY5
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 11, 2021
Bruno Fernandes fired home a 25-yard rocket and substitute Jesse Lingard scored a lovely goal at the death to wrap up a 4-1 win that saw their deadline-day signing make an immediate impact.
Ronaldo told Sky Sports News: “I was very nervous but maybe it didn’t show. The reception was incredible. I’m here to win games and to help the team.
“This club is unbelievable. I feel so proud and I’m going to give them everything to make them (the fans) proud of me.
“Football in England is different to any part of the world. I’ve played everywhere but, to be honest, England is the most special one.
“I belong to Manchester. I arrived here at 18 and they treated me unbelievably. This is why I’ve come back. I’m so proud to be here and I want to win.
“We have a fantastic team, a young team, with a fantastic coach. But we have to build up confidence and the team needs to be mature if we want to win the League and the Champions League.”
Solskjaer revealed Ronaldo gave “a little speech to the boys” on the eve of the game but was coy about what his former team-mate had said.
“Of course everyone, when they come into the team, they have to introduce themselves,” the United manager said with a smile. “Maybe not everyone knows his name. At least they do now.
“The atmosphere has been electric around the club, the supporters have really enjoyed the last 10 days or so since he signed.
“There was loads of expectations obviously this afternoon on the team and on him and he’s delivered.”
Asked if there was any doubt about what Ronaldo would add to United, Solskjaer said of his former team-mate: “I don’t think so. He does what he does.
“Cristiano lifts everyone, he gets everyone so focused when he’s in and around the place, he puts demands on himself, which then will put demands on his team-mates and it puts demands on us.
“That’s why he’s done so much in his career. He’s been so disciplined.
“We knew he’s evolved, he’s developed as a player, he’s a different type of player now compared to what he was when he left, but he’s still a ruthless and clinical goalscorer.
“He smells the big moments, he senses when there’s a goal in it.”
We see you, @PaulPogba ?#MUFC | #MUNNEW pic.twitter.com/WM6BcpTErd
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 11, 2021
Solskjaer said Ronaldo played the entirety of the game as he needed 90 minutes under his belt on a day when Newcastle were eventually blown away.
“You’re playing against a team that is well organised, didn’t give us loads of space and we had to be patient,” the Norwegian said.
“It’s never easy after an international break to get your tempo and rhythm. Of course we had yesterday to work with everyone together and that was it.
“I was very pleased with the patience, very pleased that we didn’t just lose our heads, especially so when they scored in the second half.
“We upped the tempo a little bit and we know we’ve got quality, so very pleased with how efficient we were in front of the goal as well.”
