Cristiano Ronaldo's Best Manchester United Moments

Cristiano Ronaldo is back in red after 12 years, returning to the club that made him a star. We take a look back at Ronaldo's first stint in Manchester and pick out 10 of his best moments at the club. 

Debut vs Bolton Wanderers 

In the 2003/04 Season Cristiano Ronaldo made his debut for Manchester United off the bench, having arrived from Sporting Lisbon. Ronaldo came off the bench against Bolton Wanderers, United were winning 1-0 and went on to bag another 3 with his introduction. Ronaldo received a standing ovation for his performance and praise from another famous number 7. George Best described it as ‘undoubtedly the most exciting debut’ he had ever seen and said that ‘There have been a few players described as 'the new George Best' over the years, but this is the first time it's been a compliment to me’ high praise for the 18 year old.  

First Goal vs Pourstmouth 

Ronaldo was used mainly as a substitute for the first few months of his first season, and with David Beckham gone, he was able to take free kicks when on the pitch. United were up 1-0 thanks to Diego Forlan but were searching for a second goal to kill the match. Giggs won a foul on the left flank and up stepped Cristiano. He drilled a low hard ball into the box, catching everyone off guard and finding the bottom corner, not for the last time in his career either. 

FA Cup Final 2003/04 

By the end of the 2003/04 season, Ronaldo was finding himself amongst the starting XI more often than not, including the FA Cup Final. Manchester United were up against Tim Cahill’s Milwall in what was always going to be a one-sided affair. Ronaldo gave Robbie Ryan absolute hell on the right side, stepovers galore, and whipping in rabona crosses. Cristiano eventually opened the scoring in the 44th minute, heading home a Gary Neville Cross. United went on to win 3-0 with a second half brace from Ruud van Nistelrooy and Cristiano picking up his first English piece of silverware.

League Cup Final 2005/06 

In 2005/06 Chelsea and Jose Mourinho were stealing the show in the league but United still managed to make a domestic cup final. Manchester United would line up against Wigan in the league cup final in which was again a one-sided affair. A 20 year old Wayne Rooney opened the scoring with Ronaldo also finding the back of the net in a 4-0 win. 

2006/07 Season

Manchester United were looking to break a 3 season title drought in 2006/07, with Chelsea dominating domestically in that period. United finished top of the table, 6 points ahead of Jose’s side and to top it off they won the league away at rivals Manchester City. Cristiano Ronaldo terrorised the city back four all game, eventually winning and putting away a penalty to seal the win and the title. 

Ronaldo also added just about every individual award you can win that season to his collection. Cristiano claimed the PFA Players’ Player & Young Player of the Year as well as the fan’s player of the year as well as the Barclays Premiership Player of the Season and the Premier League Player of the Season.

Portsmouth Free Kick 2007/08 

In 2007/08 United were looking for consecutive premier league title wins and were showing no signs of dropping off when they played Portsmouth in January 2008. Ronaldo had already put one past Harry Redknapp's Pompey side, but he seemed content on ruining David James’ life. Cristiano was fouled about 30 yards from the Portsmouth goal and no-one was taking this one off him. 

He went on to produce one of the most famous strikes in premier league history. We won’t even try to explain it, just watch below. 

Champions League Final 2008

United had already won the title in 2007/08 and were chasing a famous premier league, champions league double. Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 26th minute, heading home to score his 42nd goal of the season. Lampard would go on to equalise and after 120 minutes scores were still level. 

Ronaldo was the only United player to have his spot kick saved but a John Terry slip and an Anelka miss bailed him out as United lifted the trophy. 

Ballon d’Or 2008 

After winning the Premier League, Champions League, and scoring 42 goals in all competitions, Cristiano Ronaldo’s first Ballon d’Or was a formality. Ronaldo became the first Manchester United player in 40 years to lift the trophy, since another number 7, George Best in 1968. 

Performance vs Arsenal in Champions League

In 2008/09 Manchester United and Cristiano Ronaldo were still on top of the world and were chasing back to back Champions League trophies. They were playing Arsenal in the Semi-Final and were 1-0 up going into the 2nd leg. Ronaldo stepped up to take a free kick from about 40 yards out, he can’t shoot from there can he? He can and he did and yep he scored. 

Arguably an even better goal would come later, Ronaldo starting a counter by picking up a loose ball and back-heeling into Park who played in Rooney. Rooney played it back to Cristiano who fired home and sent Arsenal packing. 

Last Goal at Manchester United (For Now) 

The club was looking to secure its third premier league title in 3 years and were coming up against cross town rivals in an all important Manchester Derby. Ronaldo scored an 18th minute free kick, taking a deflection and wrong footing Shay Given giving United the Lead. The title was secured the next week and Ronaldo would go on to join Real Madrid in a record transfer.

How many more special moments will Cristiano Ronaldo produce in Red? Let us know and If you're looking to grab a Manchester United Ronaldo Jersey Grab one in store at Ultra HQ in Sydney or online now.