#1 Against Manchester United, UEFA Champions League 2012-13 Round of 16
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Old Trafford’s prodigal son faced off against his former team for the first time in his 4th season at Real Madrid.
Sir Alex Ferguson billed the contest as a ‘clash of titans’ and remarked with a palpable sense of foreboding:
‘Ronaldo is the one to worry about. His speed, his goals, he plays every week, never asks for a rest. These qualities are exceptional. He was a young man when he left us, but he has flourished and is a better player now.’
After Real had fallen behind United from a Danny Welbeck goal, they pressed hard for an equalising goal and the Spaniard looked unbeatable for a significant period of time.
On the half hour mark, Angel di Maria swung in a teasing high ball across the penalty area. For any other player in world football, it would have been a bad cross to deal with, but Ronaldo is not your typical player.
His header was perfectly placed to beat David de Gea at his far post, and the enduring image from this match is that of Evra watching helplessly at Ronaldo’s waist, which was level with his own head.
