Cristiano Ronaldo marks return to the Manchester United team with a goal against Sheriff Tiraspol

Cristiano Ronaldo marks his return to the Manchester United side with a goal against Sheriff Tiraspol. 

The Portuguese forward netted a left-footed effort from the left-hand side of the penalty area in the 81st minute of the Europa League clash. 

The 37-year-old had been out of the team after a high-profile falling-out with manager Erik ten Hag that saw him axed from the first team after refusing to come on against Tottenham earlier in October.  

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first Old Trafford goal of the season against Sheriff Tiraspol

‘He had plenty of chances,’ said Paul Scholes of his former team-mate. ‘Eventually his goal came. You felt his goal was coming. 

‘He missed so many chances. He was frustrated he couldn’t get that goal. To react on the rebound is proper centre forward’s finish.’

‘He was always in right position which shows his instinct is there his goals will come,’ added Owen Hargreaves, as both pundits dissected the goal as part of BT’s coverage. ‘To play at this level at 37 is fantastic. I think the goals will come for him. 

‘He’s not getting the goals of last season but if he keeps playing I’m sure the goals will fly in for him.’

Paul Scholes was quick to praise the forward’s goalscoring return to the starting line-up

Ten Hag threw down a gauntlet for the forward to show on the pitch why he deserves a place in the side, and he appears to have taken on the challenge.

He had been dropped from the United squad that travelled to west London last weekend to play Chelsea for his outburst, but he took the opportunity to show he can still contribute under Ten Hag. 

Despite missing a gilt-edged chance early in the game, the 37-year-old continued to work for his team, although the Moldovan side were unlikely to ever test his resolve too hard. 

However Owen Hargreaves hailed Ronaldo’s willingness to play for the club deep into his 30s 

The change of heart that he had insisted had taken place on social media was also evident, as he notably stepped aside for Christian Eriksen to take a free-kick from about 25 yards out in prime ‘Ronaldo territory’. 

And Scholes was equally full of praise for Ten Hag’s handling of what could have been a catastrophic situation at the club if allowed to go on, saying: ‘I think the way the manager handled it has been perfect. He’s come to this game, it’s done and dusted. 

‘Cristiano won’t think about the past he will look forwards and try get as many goals as he could. I think he has a lot to offer, probably not in the way he wants. 

Ronaldo had missed several good opportunities before finding the back of the net late on

‘His goals will be needed as he produces most of the time what his club needs. They will need goals if they want a successful season. 

The wantaway star netted his 701st club goal – and first at Old Trafford this season – late in the game with his side already almost assured of three points. 

In total, the Portuguese legend has netted 818 times in his long and illustrious career at the top of the game. 

The goal on Thursday night was the 701st club goal of his stellar career at the top of the game

But the five-time Ballon d’Or winner had found himself out of the starting side before his touchline spat earlier in October that saw him leave the match before full-time. 

The arrival of Erik ten Hag had initially seen him try to force through a move away from Old Trafford in the summer, but with no potential destinations forthcoming, he began the season at United, where he is under contract until 2023. 

He was notably dropped for the club’s first game of the season, which saw them lose 2-1 to Brighton in front of their own supporters. 

The 37-year-old has so far started three of United’s 11 league games, as well as all five in the Europa League, as he has seen his game time reduced to that of a bit=part player under the Dutch 52-year-old manager.  

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has only started three of United’s 11 Premier League games

After a slow start the game eventually finished 3-0, with Ronaldo’s finish the third and final of the game in Europa League Group E.

Diogo Dalot opened the scoring with his second in a United shirt – which is a staggering juxtaposition with Ronaldo’s 701st in his career.

Marcus Rashford then doubled the ascendancy in the second half with a well-timed header from a Luke Shaw cross, ending his own five-game barren run.  

Diogo Dalot had opened up the scoring at the end of the first half for his second for United

Marcus Rashford then doubled the lead to end his own five-game run without scoring a goal