Cristiano Ronaldo sends Liverpool fans message following classy Anfield gesture

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo has taken to Instagram to thank the Liverpool fans for their classy gesture at Anfield in the clash between the two sides on Tuesday evening.

The Red Devils were smashed 4-0 by the hosts, but the occasion was overshadowed by the news that Ronaldo and his family had tragically lost one of their newborn children over the Easter weekend, which meant that he played no part in the affair.

And, on seven minutes, there was a real show of unity between the Liverpool and Manchester United fans, traditionally the bitterest of rivals and two clubs who fight tooth and nail for everything historically.

With Liverpool already 1-0 up, the seventh minute (in tribute to Ronaldo's iconic shirt number) saw applause ring around Anfield and You'll Never Walk Alone sung by the Reds faithful, as can be seen below.

Ronaldo thanks the Liverpool crowd

And the unifying moment was not lost on the Portuguese striker. Taking to social media platform Instagram, he thanked the Liverpool fans, noting that his family would 'never forget' the gesture.

'One world… One sport… One global family… Thanks, Anfield. Me and my family will never forget this moment of respect and compassion', the Manchester United man wrote.

Ronaldo has since returned to first-team training, and seems likely to be in contention for his side's trip to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday lunchtime, as United look to string together a set of results to get them back into the race for the top-4.

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