Ronaldo steals show with double on United return, Man.City win

After all the hype, the build-up and expectation, Ronaldo delivered in almost inevitable fashion on his return to United, scoring twice to send his side top of the table with a 4-1 win over Newcastle

London

Cristiano Ronaldo enjoyed a sensational return to Manchester United as his debut double inspired a 4-1 win against Newcastle, while Arsenal eased the pressure on Mikel Arteta with a 1-0 victory over Norwich on Saturday.

Ronaldo’s second debut for United was the headline act as the Premier League resumed after the international break and the Portugal superstar did not disappoint his adoring fans at Old Trafford.

The 36-year-old insists he did not make his £19.8 million ($27 million) move from Juventus last month for a ‘vacation’.

Ronaldo lived up to that boast, showing he remains as sharp as ever with a clinical brace either side of Javier Manquillo’s equaliser for Newcastle.

Ronaldo’s compatriot Bruno Fernandes netted with a long-range rocket 10 minutes from full-time before Jesse Lingard bagged the fourth.

“This is what Cristiano is about. This was a day for everyone to enjoy,” United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said.

“Cristiano has developed into a fantastic goalscorer. He played a very good game, He dropped in, linked play well.”

A winner of three Premier League titles and one Champions League crown in six years with United before moving to Real Madrid, Ronaldo was making his first appearance for the club since 2009.