Cristiano Ronaldo made his first Manchester United appearance against Newcastle Saturday. This is Ronaldo’s second debut for Manchester United after the 36-year-old football legend returned to the team after a shock transfer just before the transfer deadline. Cristiano Ronaldo had left Manchester United to join Real Madrid in 2009. 

On Saturday, Cristiano Ronaldo received a hero’s welcome at Old Trafford. 

Ronaldo returned to the Manchester United last month from Juventus. Before this, Cristiano Ronaldo was last seen donning the Manchester United jersey on May 27, 2009. The Portuguese footballer scored 118 goals in 292 appearances in his first stint with the Manchester United. 

Ronaldo, who has won the Ballon d’Or five times, is sporting a number 7 jersey. Ronaldo is joined by the other summer signings of Manchester United — Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho. The star-studded Manchester United team also includes Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes. 

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Cristiano Ronaldo, who captains Portugal’s football team, returned from international duty early to prepare for Saturday’s game. Upon coming to Old Trafford, Ronaldo had said that the hopes to prove himself again with consistent performances over the coming years. 

“This is why I am here,” Cristiano Ronaldo said in an interview that was posted on Manchester United’s website on Thursday. “I am not here for a vacation…Before was good, winning important things and I wore the shirt before many years ago,” Ronaldo said adding that he is with the Manchester United to win again. 

Before Ronaldo walked onto the field, Manchester United supporters had cued up outside the Old Trafford stadium. Hundreds of fans sang “Viva Ronaldo” as the roads leading to the stadium were covered in a sea of red with the number 7 on the back. 

On August 27, Manchester United announced that the team had signed Cristiano Ronaldo from Juventus. Ronaldo is said to be in prime form having become the top international goal-scorer in men’s football. 

Manchester United XI: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Maguire, Shaw, Pogba, Matic, Greenwood, Fernandes, Sancho, Ronaldo.