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IF Cristiano Ronaldo is featured in Saturday’s Manchester United-Newcastle match, the football ace will only be making his third appearance at Old Trafford since 2009, following his victorious contribution to Juventus in 2019 and a memorable, heartfelt apology to supporters in 2013 when Manchester United was going strong.
Apart from doing well in the FA Cup that year, the club jubilantly triumphed in the Premier League title race as well after signing Robin van Persie from Arsenal.
Armed with Robin, the Red Devils next set their sights on conquering the Champions League.
Mass excitement ensued when the round of 16 draw had United pitted against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu Stadium.
Not only was it the battle of two football titans, it was the first time Cristiano would be facing his old club since his departure four years ago.
In Spain, United drew first blood.
The non-prolific Danny Welbeck, who led the charge, silenced the home crowd but United was denied victory when Cristiano headed home an equaliser.
Drama ensued in the second leg at Old Trafford.
In the 48th minute, Sergio Ramos put United ahead by scoring an own goal.
This was followed by a high foot incident that brought Nani a controversial red card.
Real Madrid then levelled the score with a sublime strike from Luka Modric.
Then came the crushing blow for Man Utd when its Portuguese son scored.
The repercussions of Cristiano’s goal, which came from a low cross by Gonzalo Higuain, was huge: Real Madrid had not won the Champions League in a decade, and Cristiano was the one who knocked United out from the tie.
Given the magnitude of his triumphant score, it would have been understandable for Cristiano to celebrate the moment with his teammates.
Instead, the footballer turned and apologised to the United supporters, who still sung his name despite him leaving the club four years ago.
This showed just how much Cristiano loves Manchester United and how he would always respect its fans.
Unsurprisingly, Cristiano came back to his beloved club and looks to be over the moon about it.
“Well, as you know, I have a fantastic history with this amazing club,” he told media recently.
“I was there at 18 years old, and of course, I’m so happy to be back home after 12 years.
“So, I’m really glad and looking forward to start my first game.
“I think it’s the best decision that I have made. It’s right on point, in my opinion.
“I moved from Juve now to Manchester, it’s a new chapter, I’m so happy and glad, and I want to carry on again, to make history, to try to help Manchester achieve great results, to win trophies and number one of them, to win great things.” – Agencies, September 8, 2021
