After netting a last-minute winner for Manchester United, Rio Ferdinand has said that Cristiano Ronaldo contacted him, stating he knew he would score against Villarreal.
Paco Alcacer’s header from Arnaut Danjuma’s cross gave Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team the lead in the second half, following a wasteful opening forty-five minutes from the Spanish team in front of goal.
After Bruno Fernandes’ excellent free-kick volley gave the hosts their first-ever club equalizer, Alex Telles, the Red Devils faced extra time and the possibility of starting their Champions League campaign with just one point from two games.
However, Ronaldo would again be United’s hero on the evening he set a record 178 appearances in the competition, scoring from a tight angle in the fifth minute of stoppage time to help their Group F campaign get back on track.
The 36-year-old scored his 12th Champions League goal in his career in the 90th minute or later, matching rival Lionel Messi’s record of six. No player has ever scored more than the three game-winning goals he has scored in the 90th minute in the competition’s history.
In an interview with BT Sport following the match, former United center defender Rio Ferdinand shared a letter he received from Ronaldo and praised the inspirational and calming influence he had on his teammates.
“I knew I would score even though I didn’t play well,” Ronaldo texted Ferdinand today, according to Ferdinand.
That’s his belief system. It’s fueling the other players’ hunger. It’s a fantastic location.
Ole wanted United to play better, but the team didn’t do so today. However, Cristiano Ronaldo stands up when you need a goal, a moment to energize the team, the stadium, and the fan base.
He aspires to be the person who gets the opportunity. His goal total speaks for itself. He’s there when things really count. And he plays a major role in that.
“The guys in the locker room are given life when you have a player like Cristiano Ronaldo.” They have hope and a lease on life since they are aware that he will put them away if the opportunity arises.It bestows upon you the capacity for relaxation. In our team, it was the most important item. You don’t panic when things get really tight and you realize time is running out. We were pretty calm because we thought the opportunities will present themselves.
Ronaldo’s exploits at Old Trafford were also praised by a beaming Solskjaer, who likened them to the spectacular way he turned a World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland in Portugal’s favor earlier this month.
“You always have a chance when you have Cristiano on the field,” Solskjaer remarked.
He has an effect on everyone—the players, the fans, and the entire club—because he is such a natural goal scorer.