CRISTIANO RONALDO might be on the last lap of a glorious career but the appreciation for him has not dimmed.
In this footballing outpost of Chisinau he was the star attraction once again.
After scoring from the penalty spot in the 39th minute for Manchester United’s second the whole ground seemed to shout out his trademark ‘Siu’ celebration as he jumps to the sky arms outstretched.
Seeing Ronaldo scoring a goal is still something special for those who don’t get to see him live – even if they are viewing it through a camera phone, even if it is a penalty.
They don’t come along that often nowadays.
That was his first goal for United in 455 minutes going back to the 3-0 victory over Brentford last May.
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The penalty was awarded after a foul by Patrick Kpozo on Diogo Dalot who had got forward on one of his rampaging runs from full-back.
There was no question who was taking it as soon as the referee pointed to the spot.
The shot was drilled down the middle of the goal with venom – ‘Viva Ronaldo’.
That doubled United’s lead after Jadon Sancho had shaken off his England disappointment from earlier in the day with the opener.
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He was ignored once again by Gareth Southgate who named his squad for the up and coming Nations League games against Italy and Germany with Sancho’s names once again absent.
He has not appeared for England since a World Cup qualifier against Andorra in October of last year.
Yet while his form in his first season with United did not warrant a call, Erik ten Hag has got him ticking again.
Can Southgate ignore him if he continues this form between now and when he names his final squad for the World Cup in the second week in November?
This was his third goal in six appearances after also netting in the 2-1 win against Liverpool and grabbing the only goal of the game away to Leicester.
The winger is not just scoring but linking well with his team-mates as was shown in the build-up.
Cutting into a central position he exchanged passes with Bruno Fernandes before laying it back to Christian Eriksen.
The Dane has been sensational for United since those opening two league defeats, dictating play.
Eriksen’s chipped return ball was perfect for Sancho, but he still had much to do, and did it.
Controlling the ball with his right he then flicked it onto his left and shot low back across the goalkeeper and into the far bottom corner.
Sancho celebrated by lifting up the personalised shin pads given to him by a young United fan recently after he had stopped his car to sign an autograph.
He very nearly had the chance to repeat the celebration when found by Eriksen again but this time his shot was cleared off the line by Stjepan Radeljic.
After United’s surprise defeat at home by Real Sociedad in their opening Group E game this was then back on course.
Ten Hag had made plenty of changes for that game one of which saw Ronaldo return in Marcus Rashford’s absence.
With Sunday’s league game against Leeds postponed this was his chance to play his strongest side but Rashford remains sidelined with a muscle injury so Ronaldo was in.
After a spirited opening from the Moldovan champions, United just took control of this game.
And Ronaldo looked interested again.
Shouting, cajoling, pointing.
Clapping his hands to tell teammates to sharpen up if he sensed a dip.
His pace is not what it was and two through balls that would have resulted in goals in the past did not.
Then again, a chase of what looked like a lost cause – when those little short steps went into overdrive in the second-half – and he got a ball across goal brought applause from the home fans.
He would also be found back on the edge of his box heading the ball clear when FC Sheriff threatened.
When he was subbed with ten minutes to go he was applauded by all sides, a Portuguese flag amongst one section of the home fans was waved.
They were just happy to have him here, to say I saw Ronaldo live.
His return to United has not been the dream end for him, but can it still be?
Of course, playing at the 10,500 capacity Zimbru Stadium in the Europa League is not what he envisaged just over a year ago.
Playing second fiddle to Rashford when fit is something he may have to get used to.
As he crossed the pitch to go down the tunnel at the end of the game he was greeted with cheers.
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A young fan who ran on to get a selfie was intercepted. Ronaldo gave him a pat on the cheek.
He won’t forget that even if the phone could not record it.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
