That was incredible! Reaction to Ronaldo's goal
Television pundits and former Manchester United players alike have been reacting to Cristiano Ronaldo's superb volley, which gave the Reds the lead at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The 36-year-old expertly found space at the far post, ghosting in behind Eric Dier and connecting with Bruno Fernandes's through ball.
Despite being at an angle, his finish was perfectly placed, leaving Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris with no chance and making sure United went into the break 1-0 up.
Bruno 🤝 Cristiano
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) October 30, 2021
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Former Reds defenders Rio Ferdinand and Danny Higginbotham were clearly impressed by the strike, with the former applauding the link-up between compatriots Fernandes and Ronaldo.
Higginbotham, who has become known for his keen eye for detail in his capacity as a Sky Sports pundit, tweeted simply, "That is incredible!"
Higginbotham's former team-mate and MUTV pundit Danny Webber said: "It was an unbelievable goal. First and foremost the run. And for Bruno to be able to find him there. As it's dropping over your shoulder, it's not an easy technique at all.
“You've got to get it across the keeper, the keeper's in a good position, he's cut across the ball as well to make sure it curls in at the far corner. It's nothing you wouldn't expect of him but it is a very different skill for most people."
WOW! 🚀
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 30, 2021
Cristiano Ronaldo with the breakthrough for Manchester United and what a wonderful finish on the volley!
📺 Watch #TOTMUN on Sky Sports Main Event & Sky Sports PL pic.twitter.com/uXrFHCKX4X
Reds legend Lou Macari, also analysing the game on MUTV, added: “It was a great ball and the hardest thing was the finish. Only Cristiano could have scored that. I'm not being disrespectful to our other players but that was typical of him. Out of nothing.
“The ball's dropping, you've got to keep your eye on the ball, you've got to get everything right, and he got it just right. Right past the goalkeeper, right into the corner, the only place it could go. He managed to do it. An incredible finish.”
It's always good to hear from the other side and even former Spurs favourite Jermain Defoe couldn't hide his admiration.
“The movement off the cross is just unbelievable,” enthused the striker, who is still playing at the age of 39, for Rangers.
“He takes one step just to keep himself onside and then spins in behind. The finish is unbelievable, these are the things you say to young strikers with volleys – always stay relaxed and hit the ball at its lowest point and always go across the goalkeeper. The finish is just unbelievable.”
United went on to win the game 3-0, with further strikes from Edinson Cavani and substitute Marcus Rashford.