Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
Lithuania
Montenegro
Nigeria
North Macedonia
United Arab Emirates

Cristiano Ronaldo's greatest Champions League nights at Old Trafford

sportsmole.co.uk, 28 September 2021, 11:40
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to play his first Champions League match at Old Trafford since rejoining Manchester United when they host Villarreal on Wednesday.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of the best nights at the stadium in the competition for the Portugal forward, who won the first of his five European Cups with United and is the Champions League's record scorer.

Manchester United 7 Roma 1 (quarter-final second leg, April 10 2007)

Having not previously scored in the competition, Ronaldo notched a brace as United thrashed a stunned Roma to advance into the semi-finals 8-3 on aggregate. Sir Alex Ferguson's men were 4-0 up by half-time on the night via efforts from Michael Carrick, Alan Smith, Wayne Rooney and Ronaldo, who then added the fifth shortly after the break. Carrick made it 6-0, Daniele De Rossi pulled a goal back for the visitors and Patrice Evra completed the rout late on.

Manchester United 3 AC Milan 2 (semi-final first leg, April 24 2007)

Ronaldo gave United an early lead in the last four tie with a header before Kaka struck twice to put Milan in front. Rooney then netted a double of his own to give United the advantage again, his second coming in stoppage time. The second leg would prove a disappointing affair for Ferguson's team as the Italians won 3-0 to triumph 5-3 on aggregate.

Manchester United 2 Sporting Lisbon 1 (group stage, Nov 27 2007)

Another contest with late drama as Ronaldo produced a stoppage-time winner against his old club, driving home a free-kick after Carlos Tevez had cancelled out Abel Ferreira's opener for the visitors. The goal, which sealed top spot in Group F, was Ronaldo's fifth in the pool, which also included the decisive effort in United's 1-0 away win against Sporting.

Manchester United 1 Barcelona (semi-final second leg, April 29 2008)

A first Champions League final awaited Ronaldo after he helped United see off Barca following a 0-0 draw in the first leg. While he did not get on the scoresheet, Ronaldo was involved in the build-up to Paul Scholes' superb strike just before the quarter hour. United went on to beat Chelsea on penalties in the final in Moscow after a 1-1 draw, with Ronaldo scoring the opener and having a spot-kick saved in the shootout.

Manchester United 2 Inter Milan (last 16 second leg, March 11 2009)

After a 0-0 draw in the first leg, United got past Jose Mourinho's Inter and into the quarter-finals with a victory that saw Nemanja Vidic give the hosts the lead early on and Ronaldo then wrap things up with a second-half header.

Manchester United 1 Arsenal (semi-final first leg, April 29 2009)

Another occasion when Ronaldo did not score, but he brought some fine saves out of Manuel Almunia and rattled the crossbar in a contest settled by John O'Shea's early goal. The Portuguese was then the star of the show in the second leg, netting twice as United beat Arsenal 3-1 to progress to a final that they lost 2-0 to Pep Guardiola's Barcelona in Rome.

Manchester United 1 Real Madrid 2 (last 16 second leg, Mar 5 2013)

Having left United to join Real in the summer of 2009, Ronaldo returned to haunt his former employers, scoring the Spaniards' second to secure a 3-2 aggregate win. After a 1-1 first-leg draw in Madrid - in which Ronaldo had also scored - United went ahead at Old Trafford through a Sergio Ramos own goal, before having Nani controversially sent off. Luka Modric then drew things level and Ronaldo had the final say soon after.

Show more

Top News

25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Azerbaijan vs. Belarus (Tuesday, 5.45pm) Azerbaijan will be bidding to bounce back from a shock defeat when they host Belarus in a friendly on Tuesday night. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Moldova vs. Estonia (Tuesday, 5.00pm) At least one of Moldova and Estonia will collect their first points of World Cup 2026 Qualifying when they lock horns at Stadionul Zimbru on Tuesday evening. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Endrick has hinted at a possible Real Madrid exit after he revealed he fears his lack of playing time could cost him a place in Brazil's World Cup squad. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly prepared to axe 10 players as part of Ruben Amorim's squad rebuild this summer. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has reportedly agreed personal terms with Spanish giants with Real Madrid. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Southampton have reportedly been boosted in their pursuit of Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl as his current club have identified assistant head coach Henrik Pedersen as their preferred replacement. 24 March 2025 talksport.com Thomas Tuchel always did bring the best out of Reece James. They won the Champions League together at Chelsea in 2021. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal Women will welcome Real Madrid Femenino to the Emirates Stadium for Wednesday's Women's Champions League clash. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Leaders Barcelona will welcome Osasuna to the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys for Thursday's rescheduled La Liga contest. 24 March 2025 talksport.com Reece James scored a stunning goal that inspired England to another win as they brushed aside Latvia at Wembley. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea defender Reece James produced a standout display to help England claim a 3-0 victory over Latvia in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. 24 March 2025 talksport.com Thomas Tuchel capped the perfect start to his England tenure as the Three Lions ran out comfortable 3-0 winners over Latvia. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Justin Kluivert has claimed that he does not expect his Bournemouth teammate Dean Huijsen to still be at the club next season amid interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber is reportedly expected to be ready for the Premier League home meeting with Fulham on April 1. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite is reportedly prepared to consider his future with the Toffees after being overlooked for a place in Thomas Tuchel's England squad. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool's ability to avoid regression next season is heavily dependent on how many stars they can renew, Reds expert David Lynch has argued. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk England head coach Thomas Tuchel has made four changes to his starting lineup for Monday's World Cup 2026 Qualifying clash with Latvia at Wembley. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Lyon Women will welcome Bayern Munich Women to the Groupama Stadium for Wednesday's clash in the Women's Champions League quarter-finals. 24 March 2025 talksport.com Michael Owen has told talkSPORT that he believes Darwin Nunez will not be at Liverpool next season. 24 March 2025 talksport.com Bournemouth star Justin Kluivert has dropped a bombshell on teammate Dean Huijsen's future that no Cherries fan will want to hear. 24 March 2025 talksport.com Premier League clubs will discuss moving the date of the summer transfer window to before the season starts. 24 March 2025 talksport.com Premier League fans are going to be forced to wait even longer for some action as there are no fixtures planned for this weekend. 24 March 2025 talksport.com Manchester United great Teddy Sheringham believes the club missed a trick by not signing Harry Kane or Declan Rice. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is reportedly on the verge of joining Major League Soccer outfit Inter Miami. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The feeling that Myles Lewis-Skelly could eventually become Arsenal's new Ashley Cole is "impossible" to ignore, but comparisons are premature, expert Charles Watts has told Sports Mole. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk A Premier League giant have reportedly emerges as the frontrunners to sign Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane in the summer transfer window. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are reportedly set to beat Real Madrid to the signing of Bayer Leverkusen defender Jeremie Frimpong. 24 March 2025 talksport.com A crocodile-inhabited river is reportedly set to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games rowing events. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool target Milos Kerkez has reportedly informed friends of his desire for an Anfield switch during the summer transfer window. 24 March 2025 talksport.com Former Manchester United Erik ten Hag is keen on the Juventus job, talkSPORT understands.