Cristiano Ronaldo did what was demanded of him for Manchester United vs Sheriff Tiraspol

When Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Manchester United a year ago he almost certainly didn't expect to end up here, the star attraction in a Europa League fixture in Moldova in a matchbox stadium, dwarfed by crumbling Soviet-era flats.

Ronaldo's dream return has turned into a nightmare but it's one he couldn't escape. His ego would have been dented by the absence of Champions League interest and bruised by Erik ten Hag's decision to drop him.

But for injury to Marcus Rashford, Ronaldo might not have even been starting in the Zimbru Stadium. The locals were delighted he was. His name received the loudest cheer of all before kick-off by the 8,800-strong crowd.

READ MORE: United player ratings vs Sheriff Tiraspol

Ten Hag's decision to revert to his league team in this fixture was conditioned by the successive domestic postponements that have affected United's calendar. Ronaldo's goal is to ensure he's starting against Manchester City rather than in Moldova. Against Sheriff, he wanted to prove he was still United's sheriff.

His pace might be going, but his popularity will never diminish. As United made their way into the ground a young boy broke through security to hug his hero. When the teams lined up before kick-off another youngster held a banner declaring 'GOAT'. It didn't need a name attached to it.

Ronaldo endured a testing first half, shackled by the speedy Gaby Kiki, but when a penalty gave him the chance to end his five-and-a-half-hour wait for a goal he made no mistake. His 'Siu' celebration echoed around the Zimbru Stadium.

That essentially killed the game just before half-time, with Jadon Sancho having already given United the lead, and they could enjoy the kind of evening they wanted in what was new territory