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Cristiano Ronaldo showed that he hadn't forgotten anything about the ball
Photo: Rui Vieira / AP
In the comeback of the club icon Cristiano Ronaldo signed by Juventus Turin, Manchester United won 4-1 (1-0) against Newcastle United.
Ronaldo himself was instrumental in the clear victory with two goals (45th + 1, 62nd), the remaining goals were contributed by Bruno Fernandes (80th) and Jesse Lingard (90th + 1).
Javier Manquillo equalized for Newcastle.
The Premier League return of the five-time world footballer, who had matured to a superstar in Manchester between 2003 and 2009, was only seen live in the United Kingdom by around 75,000 viewers at Old Trafford: Out of consideration for the lower-class leagues, British television does not show any on Saturday afternoons Soccer games. Those who stayed at home didn't miss much at the beginning, United played dominantly, but Fernandes' somewhat too long art shot from the center line (26th) remained the most remarkable goal completion for a long time.
Then Ronaldo showed that he had developed from a spectacular wing dribbler to an efficient penalty area striker over the past decade: While he was still stuck with Newcastle defender Jamaal Lascelles (36th), the Portuguese proved his eye for goal in stoppage time in the first half and dusted off when goalkeeper Freddie Woodman was unable to capture a shot by Mason Greenwood (45 + 2).
Ronaldo last met in the Premier League in May 2009 - 12 years and 124 days ago.
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After the break, the previously harmless Magpies came back into the game surprisingly when Manquillo made a counterattack to equalize (56th). Ronaldo's second goal quickly restored the old conditions, this time the star striker was successful in a tunnel against Woodman (62nd). Ronaldo's national team-mate Fernandes finally took the tension out of the game when he scored the third goal for United with a shot from 18 meters (80th). The final point was set by Lingard, who successfully completed a remarkable combination (90th + 1).
The team of coach Ole Gunnar Solskjær remains without defeat in the Premier League after the fourth matchday.
The previously unbeaten Tottenham Hotspurs had lost 3-0 to Crystal Palace at noon, while Arsenal FC scored their first points of the season with a 1-0 win against Norwich City.
You can find all results and tables in the SPIEGEL sports center.
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