Ronaldo opened the scoring and set up the second goal for Edinson Cavani on Saturday, as Manchester United eased past Spurs 3-0.
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Cristiano Ronaldo continued to shine for Manchester United in crunch situations, as the Red Devils bounced back from last weekend’s disappointment in some style. Ronaldo opened the scoring and set up the second goal for Edinson Cavani on Saturday, as United eased past Spurs 3-0. The Reds took a one-goal lead into half-time thanks to Ronaldo’s thumping right-footed volley from Bruno Fernandes’ lobbed pass. A delicate clipped finish from Edinson Cavani and a clinical curler from Marcus Rashford in the second half gave United an emphatic victory in north London. After the match, Ronaldo described the side’s performance against Tottenham as “unbelievable”.
For the match on Saturday, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer switched the formation, as United started with a three-man central defence and a two-man strike partnership consisting of Ronaldo and Cavani. The game plan worked, as United arguably produced their most controlled performance of the season to date. “We knew before the game that we had a tough week [after] a result that we didn’t expect,” Ronaldo told Sky Sports.
“The team was a little bit under pressure, a little bit sad, but we knew that today we [could] give a good answer. We played good, we started the game very well. Of course my job is to help the team with my experience, my goals, my assists and I did that today and I feel so pleased with that. But in terms of the team, it was an unbelievable performance in my opinion.”
Ronaldo was not only a goal scorer but was also a goal creator on the night. He brilliantly set Cavani up for the second of the game with a well-timed pass between two defenders. It was an important result for the club following the 5-0 defeat against Liverpool last weekend. Opening up about last Sunday’s disappointment, the Portuguese star said, “It was tough. We didn’t expect the last result in the Premier League. But, you know, I hope this time we turn the page.”
“I believe that some things happen for a reason and we have to be happy for this amazing afternoon. We have won 3-0 in an away stadium against a difficult team and we are so, so pleased for that.”
More than the three points, it was the response shown by Manchester United following a week of intense scrutiny in the media, was commendable. Ronaldo said that criticism will always be there and he does not get bothered by it.
“The criticisms are always there,” the 36-year-old said. “For me, it doesn’t bother me because I have played 18 years of football, so I know that one day [people will say] we are perfect and another day [they will say] we are crap.
“I know that and we have to deal with that, but it’s always better when the people praise you and they are happy with you. Sometimes life is like that, sometimes we have to pass through bad moments and we have to change and we changed today.”
