Manchester: Cristiano Ronaldo has scored nearly 800 goals for club and country and won numerous trophies in a 19-year career. However, the Portuguese forward admitted Saturday that he had butterflies in his stomach ahead of his second debut at Manchester United. Popularly called CR7, he had scored 118 goals for United during his first stint. He netted twice on his return in a 4-1 win over Newcastle United at Old Trafford.
“I was really nervous, maybe I did not show it,” Ronaldo told ‘Sky Sports’ after the game Saturday as he was serenaded by the United fans. “The reception was incredible. I was thinking Friday night that I wanted to show I’m still capable of helping the team. When I started the game, I was super nervous when they were singing my name but this crowd is unbelievable,” he added.
Ronaldo has won eight major trophies with Man U. He has rejoined the club that have failed to win the league title since they last lifted it in 2013 under his former manager Alex Ferguson.
The Portuguese forward said Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has the tools to win the Premier League title as well as the Champions League but added the team needed maturity.
“We have a fantastic team, a young team and a fantastic coach,” Ronaldo said. “But… we have to build up confidence. The team need to be mature if it wants to win the Premier League and Champions League. “I think we are in a good way, we have to win games, build up the confidence, build up the team and I am here to help the team,” the forward added.
