Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first Premier League goal of the current season in Sunday’s 2-1 victory at Everton, and Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag has praised the legendary striker for his historic goal.
The gaffer admitted that Ronaldo can now build on that performance and rediscover his prolific form. At Goodison Park, Ronaldo scored the game-winning goal in the first half off the bench, marking the 700th club goal of a remarkable career that began 20 years ago.
The former Ajax manager has given Ronaldo less playing time this season, and the gaffer believes that the 37-year-old’s first league goal would boost his confidence ahead of some critical games to come.
As reported by ESPN, he said:
“Every player needs it [confidence] even when you are the best in the world you need it, you need the goals. Once they have some goals, they come easier and then the goals come in a flow.”
“That is really impressive when you score 700 goals, a huge performance. I am really happy for him and congratulate him on that. I am also really happy it is his first goal of the season in the Premier League. I am sure more goals will come for him.”
Ten Hag was pleased with the manner his players had recovered from their 6-3 beating at the hands of rivals Manchester City last week. The victory, United’s fifth in their previous six league games, moved them up to sixth in the league standings.
Whereas for Ronaldo, the 37-year-old has reached yet another landmark in his club career after scoring a record number of goals at the International level for Portugal.
Ronaldo’s current statistics read as:
Real Madrid: 450 goals
Manchester United: 144 goals*
Juventus: 101 goals
Sporting: 5 goals
