Manchester United’s ‘new’ forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, will start training with the club earlier than expected, as he returns from international duty with Portugal early.
Ronaldo became the all-time leading men’s international goalscorer as he scored two late goals against the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday, as Portugal came from behind to win 2-1.
Need a winning goal in the last minutes?
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) September 1, 2021
Hold my ̷b̷e̷e̷r̷ water bottle 😏🚰@Cristiano pic.twitter.com/Wa0xAYKj8t
The Portuguese captain showed his poaching skills with both goals; two looping headers in the box, taking his international goal tally to 111, surpassing the record held by former Iranian footballer Ali Daeli, who netted 109 goals for Iran between 1993 and 2006.
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His return to England follows him taking off his shirt after heading in the winning goal; this resulted in a yellow card, which means the forward would be suspended for Portugal’s next game against Qatar.
Ronaldo will now get to train with some of his new teammates in Manchester for a full week, leading up to what will most likely be his second debut, against Newcastle United on the 11th of September.
Ronaldo also had another surprise for United fans, as the club finally announced what shirt number the player would wear.
𝙉𝙤𝙬 it's official 😍
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 2, 2021
7️⃣ @Cristiano#MUFC | #RonaldoReturns
The talismanic forward will take back the sacred No. 7 shirt at Old Trafford, as it was announced that Uruguayan striker, Edinson Cavani, would change to his more favoured No. 21, which was vacated as Dan James moved to Leeds United.
Red Devil’s fans can now rest easy as they know they will see Ronaldo in the treasured No. 7 once again, as he will try to light up the Premier League, 12 years on since he left.