Manchester United fans often flock to the Transfer Tavern to watch Cristiano Ronaldo’s exploits for Real Madrid and Portugal, as they reminisce about a time long-passed where he lined-up at Old Trafford.
Memories are shared and cherished throughout the bar, with a regular topic of discussion being Ronaldo’s best goals in a Manchester United jersey.
Unfortunately this is where the picturesque scenes end as scuffles usually break out, with the landlord having to intervene to break apart arguments between fans who claim ‘their’ goal is the best from Ronaldo.
In an attempt to quell these fights forever and ever, we got involved and made it all official with a pub debate. The aim was simple; to decide Ronaldo’s top-five United goals and stick the choices behind the bar to end any further arguments swiftly.
Our plan worked and it now has pride of price behind our spirits range, alongside all the other debates we’ve had to end.
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Click the image BELOW to see Ronaldo’s top five Manchester United goals!
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5: Unstoppable header v Roma
Ronaldo’s sublime header on April Fool’s Day 2008 is often overlooked when discussing the Portuguese ace’s best goals for United but this needs to change, as it was an unbelievable effort.
When Paul Scholes floated a dangerous cross into the box Ronaldo wasn’t even in picture. He swiftly arrived with pace, flying through the air and somehow winning a header he should never have got to; sending a bullet effort into the bottom corner.
How? No idea. Just enjoy it.
4: Free-kick v Arsenal
Ronaldo is renowned for big moments in big games and the 2008/09 Champions League semi-final was the perfect example of the Portuguese showstopper at his best, as he erased any chances of Arsenal overturning a 1-0 deficit from the first-leg.
With just 11 minutes on the clock, and Park Ji-Sung already putting United ahead on the night, Ronaldo dispatched a trademark free-kick to put the game beyond any doubt before the late arrivals had even taken their seat.
It was such a big result and performance from Ronaldo and United that Arsenal fans often forget they were in the last four of the tournament.
3: 40-yards v Porto
We didn’t mean for the final selections to be full of efforts from the Champions League, we swear! It just can’t be helped that Ronaldo always shows up on the big occasion.
Back in April 2009 there were groans throughout the Tavern when Ronaldo selfishly tried an effort from 40-yards, that seemingly had no chance of finding the back of the net, but somehow it did.
Flying in at astonishing speed, straight and true past a hapless Helton, it left everyone speechless.
2: Back-heel against Villa
Everyone loves a back-heel goal but usually it occurs when it’s an open goal or a tap-in. Not for Cristiano Ronaldo though, he does it in style.
Ryan Giggs’ corner dropped to Ronaldo after clipping a Villa head and United’s number 7 quickly provided a little flick of the boot to send United on their way to a 4-0 victory.
Most players wouldn’t have even thought of doing it, yet alone try it an execute it superbly!
1) That free-kick v Portsmouth
Did you really expect anything else? In January 2008 Ronaldo pulled-off a bit of magic to beat experienced David James from 30-yards, whilst also creating a new way to take free-kicks in the process.
This was the birth of the Ronaldo free-kick. The wide stance, the laces shot that powers past the wall, remarkably dipping before finding the back of the net. Powerful, precise, extremely difficult. This was Ronaldo at his finest!
