Upon finding the back of the net on his return from a first-team suspension, Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo was given a massive vote of confidence about his goalscoring by manager Erik ten Hag.
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The Red Devils' 3-0 victory over FC Sheriff Tiraspol in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday marked Ronaldo's first game back for the side since his temporary exile from first-team duties.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner had been banished by Ten Hag for refusing to come on in United's 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur and then walking down the touchline and back into the dressing room before the game's conclusion.
The Dutchman, as a result, decided to suspend Ronaldo for the team's trip to Chelsea this past weekend, but following clear-the-air talks between the two parties earlier this week, it was decided that the Portuguese would return to action for the Mancunians in their latest European clash.
After his compatriot Diogo Dalot opened the scoring against Sheriff just before half-time and Marcus Rashford headed in a second midway through the second half, Ronaldo rounded off United's scoring nine minutes from time.
The Portugal captain's goal was his third of the season and his second in Europe, and Ten Hag is confident that this is the beginning of a prolific run of goalscoring for international football's all-time leading marksman.
"He was great. He created chances and the team creates for him. He needs a goal to get over that point and I am confident he will get more goals," the 52-year-old said, as per BT Sport.
"I wanted to see Cristiano and Marcus Rashford close together, and that is why we made our planned substitution of taking Antony off. Our substitutions were planned. We are confident going into the final game in what we have to do."
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If United wish to avoid the Europa League's Round of 32 play-off match, they will need to win by two clear goals when they face Real Sociedad at the Reale Arena next Thursday.
Before that, however, the 13-time Premier League winners have the matter of West Ham United on Sunday afternoon.
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