Erik ten Hag was full of praise for Cristiano Ronaldo after he finally got off the mark for Manchester United this season with a goal in the Europa League.
The no.7's penalty was as calm as you'd like, as he swept the ball down the centre of the goal with the FC Sheriff keeper diving to his right side.
It was the killer goal after Jadon Sancho opened the scoring for United with a brilliant finish after a well-worked team move.
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Diogo Dalot's run in behind saw him get clipped and the referee pointed to the spot.
Although he has had a slow start to the season, there was no doubt that Ronaldo would miss from the spot.
"Ronaldo needed that goal," Ten Hag told MUTV.
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"Many times he came close, but he wanted that so much," he continued.
"We are happy for him and the team wanted to bring him a goal.
"You know that Cristiano will score a penalty.”
There were still question marks over the forward's overall game on Thursday evening, with many highlighting the Portuguese as the weak link across the team that started in Moldovia.
However, his manager has full trust that he will come good as he regains fitness that might've been lost as he missed pre-season with the Reds.
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"He's really close, when he gets more fitness he'll score more," Ten Hag stressed to reporters when talking about the striker.
"He's totally committed to this project, totally involved,
"He also has connections that are coming around him and is constructing connections. I'm happy with that."
With the international break coming, that will give Ronaldo a chance to get more fitness under his belt.
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The forward will also be hoping to get on the scoresheet whilst with Portugal as he aims to get his finishing touch back.
United will then return to Premier League action with a clash against Manchester City at the beginning of October.
Topics: Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, Cristiano Ronaldo
Cain Smith