Cristiano Ronaldo scored on his return from a game ban as Manchester United eased pass Sheriff Tiraspol in Europa League.
Manchester United made it to the next round of the Europa League after a convincing 3-0 win over Sheriff Tiraspol at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils completed their fourth successive win in the Group after an opening home defeat to La Liga club Real Sociedad.
After completing a double against Omonia Nicosia, there was no doubt the Red Devils will repeat same feat against the Moldovan giants after they traveled to Moldova to get a similar result.
It was a one-way traffic game. Manchester United dominated play and pressed hard for an early opener, but had to wait late into the first half for a curtain-raiser.
It was Portuguese star Diogo Dalot who opened the scoring for the Red Devils in the 44th minute to hand the home side the lead before the break.
Marcus Rashford doubled the lead in the 60th minute, scoring his fourth Manchester United goal this season.
Cristiano Ronaldo marked his return with a goal
Cristiano Ronaldo marked his return to the team with a goal after he volleyed home a rebound from his header to make it 3-0 for the Red Devils.
It was a brilliant way to announce his return to the team after being banned from first-team training for almost a week.
Erik Ten Hag banned the Manchester United legend and Portuguese all-time highest goal-scorer after he refused to come on in Manchester United’s Premier League win over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford.
The former Ajax manager also axed him from Manchester United’s squad against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
After dialogue with Erik ten Hag, the club lifted his ban and returned him to first-team training.
Ten Hag included him in Manchester United’s Europa League squad against Sheriff Tiraspol.
After goals from Dalot and Rashford, Cristiano Ronaldo completed the rout with a 76th-minute goal to end the game 3-0 in favor of United.
The goal was his second Europa League goal and third goal for Manchester United this season.
Erik Ten Hag reacts
Ronaldo’s goal was a great way to announce his return to the team and challenge some pundits that he still has much to play for despite his current ordeal at Manchester United.
After banning the player and removing him from the Chelsea game, Erik Ten Hag noted that the squad will miss the five times Ballon d’Or winner.
Ronaldo has further convinced Ten Hag he still has much to offer the club if given a chance.
When asked about Ronaldo’s performance in post-match conference on Thursday night, Ten Hag said;
“Yeah, great. He created and the team creates for him.
“We know he has the capabilities to finish. He needed a goal to get over a dead point I would say and then more will come, I am confident of that.”
Ronaldo marked his historic 700th club career goal in Manchester United’s Premier League game against Everton. He has now crossed the 700th-goal mark.
Manchester United through to the knockout
With the win over Sheriff Tiraspol, Manchester United have qualified to the knockout of the competition.
Now, they will battle for the top spot of the group against Real Sociedad when they traveled to Spain to revenge the controversial opening loss to the La Liga club.
