"He is from another planet" - Paul Merson lauds Cristiano Ronaldo after his phenomenal return to Manchester United

Cristiano Ronaldo made a scintillating return to Manchester United and scored twice in his club’s emphatic 4-1 win over Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday. Ronaldo scored the first two goals for his club before Jesse Lingard and Bruno Fernandes also got on the score sheet.

Advertisment

Former Arsenal attacker Paul Merson heaped praise on Cristiano Ronaldo and said he was absolutely phenomenal against Newcastle. He also said the former Barcelona player is from another planet.

"His movement was absolutely phenomenal. The first goal was a mistake by the goalie but there's only one person following up," Merson said. "The second, Luke Shaw gets the ball... and he sprints. He didn't sprint too many times today - it's a great touch to take it away from Hayden and he hits it hard and low. The goalie will be disappointed - it goes through his legs - but his movement and awareness in seeing it - that's what he's there for."

"He's not going to close full-backs down, and he played a lot of what I would call wall passes where he just came and kept it ticking over. He's not the same player, but if you put the ball in the box or you look up and find time on the ball his movement is absolutely scary. I thought Edinson Cavani's was good, but he is on another planet."

Old Trafford went berserk during Ronaldo's first game for the Manchester United. Ronaldo was also moved by the support he received from Manchester United fans and said it made him extremely nervous. "I didn't expect they would sing all game my name so I was very nervous. Maybe it didn't show, but I was," Cristiano Ronaldo said.

The win took Manchester United to the helm of the Premier League table with 10 points. They next take on Young Boys in the Champions League game on Tuesday.