‘I swear’ – Ronaldo reveals he surpassed his Man Utd expectations before shock claim
Cristiano Ronaldo admitted that he felt “super nervous” ahead of what turned out to be a sparkling second Manchester United debut.
The Portugal international showed no signs of anxiety as he netted twice against the Magpies in a 4-1 win. Following earlier chances, he broke the deadlock just before half time. However, he added a second after the break, nutmegging goalkeeper Freddie Woodman from Luke Shaw’s pass.
Bruno Fernandes and Jesse Lingard made it a handsome win in the end against a Newcastle side who had made it 1-1 11 minutes into the second half.
However, all the headlines before the match were about Ronaldo and the Old Trafford faithful proved that, singing his name throughout.
Ronaldo told BBC Sport: “I didn’t expect to score two goals. I expect one but not two. I have to appreciate the fans and what they did to me today, I feel so proud for that.
“The most important thing was to win and to win games. Manchester [United] needs to be where they deserve. It is to win, to build the team and build the club and the mentality.
“This is what we are looking for. Of course I am happy to score goals I am not going to deny that but the most important thing is the team and the team played good.”
Ronaldo’s career has seen him conquer challenge after challenge and beat a plethora of records.
As such, he does not come across as a player who feels nervous.
However, he admitted that the mammoth anticipation for his Man Utd and Old Trafford return got to him.
Ronaldo admits Man Utd nerves
“It is unbelievable. When I started the game I was so nervous, I swear,” the attacker said.
“It is normally because I did not expect that they would sing my name all game. I was very nervous but maybe I didn’t show but I was. The reception is incredible but I am here to win games and help the team.
“It was unbelievable moment. I was super nervous and was thinking last night that I wanted to play good and show I was still capable of helping the team. This club is unbelievable and I am so proud. I am going to give everything to make them proud of me.
“Everyone knows the football in England is different than in any part of the world and to be honest it is the most special one. I arrived here at 18 and they treated my unbelievable and that is why I am back.”
United are hoping Ronaldo can have a similar impact consistently throughout the season. Doing so could end United’s lack of silverware under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Ronaldo said: “Everyone has to do his job. We have a fantastic team, a young team, with a fantastic coach but we have to build up confidence.
“The team needs to be mature if we want to win the league and the Champions League but we are in a good way and I am here to help the team.”
Solskjaer revealed Ronaldo gave a speech to his United colleagues which inspired them to victory.
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