CRISTIANO RONALDO is the only Manchester United player yet to retire from the last time he played against Newcastle 12 years ago.
The 36-year-old is preparing for his second Red Devils debut with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side to face the Magpies at Old Trafford on Saturday.
It remains to be seen whether Ronaldo will feature this weekend with the player to not train alongside all of his United team-mates until Friday.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner returned to Carrington on Tuesday, where he trained with the first-team players not called up for international duty.
Ronaldo was released by Portugal early due to suspension, with the Real Madrid icon subsequently heading to Manchester, where he held face-to-face talks with Solskjaer.
Should the Norwegian gaffer deem Ronaldo fit enough to play against Newcastle, his second debut will NOT be shown on live TV after Sky Sports and BT Sport rejected the chance to show the 3pm kick-off.
Incredibly, none of Ronaldo’s team-mates from his last appearance against the Toon outfit from March 2009 are playing today.
Though two members of the team that featured are currently working alongside Ronaldo at the Theatre of Dreams.
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Ronnie started on the left wing against Newcastle at St James’ Park more than a decade ago, with United coming back from behind to win 2-1.
Starting in goal was Dutch shot-stopper Edwin van der Sar, with John O’Shea appearing at right-back.
French star Patrice Evra started on the opposite side, with Rio Ferdinand partnering Nemanja Vidic in the heart of defence.
With Ronaldo deployed on the left flank, Sir Alex Ferguson opted to start South Korea’s Park Ji-sung down the right.
Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher were in the centre of midfield, with Paul Scholes left on the bench.
Starting up top against Newcastle were Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov – with both getting on the scoresheet for the visitors.
Carrick has remained at United after hanging up his boots with the ex-Tottenham man part of the club’s first-team coaching staff.
Meanwhile Fletcher, who was pictured next to Ronaldo during Tuesday’s training session, was appointed as United’s technical director in March.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
