Staff Reporter.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice on his return to Manchester United as the hosts eventually cruised to victory against Newcastle to send Old Trafford into raptures.
Twelve years after he last scored for Manchester United in this stadium, Ronaldo broke the deadlock in first-half added time when he tapped in after visiting keeper Freddie Woodman spilled Mason Greenwood’s shot.
Then, after former Liverpool defender Javier Manquillo had levelled with his first Newcastle goal, Ronaldo finished off a flowing move by racing onto Luke Shaw’s through ball and drilling a low shot through Woodman’s legs.
His international team-mate Bruno Fernandes then rifled in the goal of the game as he collected Paul Pogba’s square pass and curled a shot into the top corner from the edge of the area. Substitute Jesse Lingard added a fourth in added time.
The margin of victory was harsh on Steve Bruce’s men, who played well for long periods. But that didn’t matter to the home fans, who had the added bonus of their side returning to the top of the Premier League.
Meanwhile A banner supporting a woman who accused footballer Cristiano Ronaldo of a sex assault has been flown over Old Trafford during his return game for Manchester United.
The Level Up feminist group said they wanted to “remind crowds” of rape allegations against him.
Kathryn Mayorga said she was assaulted by him at a Las Vegas hotel in 2009.
In 2019, US prosecutors said Ronaldo, who denied the claims, would not face charges.
Elsewhere Manchester City secured a third straight league win after seeing off Leicester City in an entertaining game at King Power Stadium and Arsenal lifted the pressure on manager Mikel Arteta as they secured their first points of the Premier League season with victory over Norwich City at Emirates Stadium.
Other Premier League Results:
Southampton 0 – 0 West Ham.
Watford 0 – 2 Wolves.
Brentford 0 – 1 Brighton.
Chelsea 3 – 0 Aston Villa.