Cristiano Ronaldo added another two goals to his tally as new side Al Nassr thrashed Al Adalah 5-0 in the Saudi Pro League to move to within a point of league leaders Al Ittihad.
The veteran striker joined Al Nassr in January after leaving Manchester United by mutual consent in November, leaving a glittering European career behind.
And he has wasted no time getting started, bringing up his 10th and 11th goal in just his 9th outing against Al Adalah.
The Portuguese attacker broke the deadlock just before the half-time break, converting a penalty to hand his side the lead before hitting his iconic celebration.
He then added his side’s third goal with an emphatic finish on his left foot from just inside the penalty area with 25 minutes to go.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored two more goals for Al Nassr today 🤩
Unstoppable force! pic.twitter.com/KrwICVjks3
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 4, 2023
It led to Piers Morgan, the man who interviewed him in his controversial speak-out against Manchester United (which led to his contract being torn up), branding the decision by Erik ten Hag to drop Ronaldo in favour of Wout Weghorst on loan as ‘one of the worst in football history’.
Two more goals for @Cristiano so far tonight, including this superb one which once again suggests Ten Hag’s decision to dump him for Wout Weghorst was one of the worst in football history. pic.twitter.com/bu8XJGKLjG
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 4, 2023
Decision: Vindicated?
They have won 12 of their last 19, compared to 9 with Ronaldo in the side, while they have also suffered four fewer losses than when CR7 was leading the line. The team as a whole, largely spearheaded by Marcus Rashford, have also found the net a massive 14 times more than they did with the 38-year-old leading the line.
Asked about Weghorst’s impact, Ten Hag leapt to his compatriot’s defence.
“I also saw another comment from Gary Neville when he reflected on the performance of Wout and that with Wout we are quite successful”, he explained.
“And I think that is the evidence, so that is what I can say about that. I am happy with him because he is doing a great job for this team.”
United are expected to be on the hunt for a new main man this summer, with Harry Kane chief among the targets.
