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Cristiano Ronaldo's return to the Premier League marked one of the most celebrated comebacks in the history of football. Within an hour, Manchester United's Twitter handle, which broke the news, got the most likes for a tweet made by a sports franchise. In 10 minutes since the announcement was made, the retweet tally hit 331,400.
It was all going on virtually, but the fact that Cristiano Ronaldo was going to be back in the Premier League in the flesh and blood meant records felt threatened.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored on his second debut in the Premier League
Making his return against Newcastle United, the star forward's presence sent Old Trafford buzzing like never before. His warm up was madly cheered and when he finally found the back of the net, the stadium erupted. He scored again and the Theater of Dreams was dreaming again.
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However, before Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer talks with Juventus even began, there were a few star forwards finding the back of the net for fun and with effortlessness. The Premier League is home to some of the finest attacking talent in Europe and the five-time Ballon d'Or winner will have stern competitors.
On that note, here are five forwards who could outscore Cristiano Ronaldo in the Premier League this season:
#5 Mason Greenwood
Some would say even for an unpopular opinion this is taking it a bit too far. There is no way you can outscore a hungry Cristiano Ronaldo, especially when you are his own team-mate. But there is no arguing that Mason Greenwood means business this season in the Premier League and he has Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's backing.
Greenwood has started all six games for Manchester United this season in the Premier League. Before Cristiano Ronaldo arrived the youngster started as a centre-forward and after him, he's starting on the right wing. The shift in position hasn't affected Greenwood's ability to test the keeper whenever given a chance.
The young starlet scored United's equalizer against Southampton in a 1-1 draw and also scored the winner and only goal for his side against Wolves. He's surely matured as a forward and is frequently finding himself in dangerous positions.
Going back to that Newcastle game in which Cristiano Ronaldo made his debut, it was Greenwood's strike that the keeper messed up and gave Ronaldo an easy tap-in.
The United No.11 is clearly not looking to sit back and see the Portuguese gain all the limelight. In fact, he's only more pumped up to find the back of the net.
#4 Jamie Vardy
As young as ever, Jamie Vardy continues to age like a fine wine much like Cristiano Ronaldo. Every year one would wonder what more Vardy could do and the Englishman keeps on impressing.
Leicester City have gotten off to a mixed start in the Premier League this season. With six games played, they have won two and lost three. But Vardy isn't complaining with whatever system they play because he is thriving and how. The striker has already netted five goals and also registered an assist.
Vardy loves to make runs behind defenses and it's impressive how season after season he is able to maintain his decision-making and pace at that. He's scored with his left and he's scored with his right during that time.
Since Brendan Rogers' arrival, Leicester have regularly punched above their weight in the Premier League and Vardy's consistency is at the center of it all. However, the focus will soon have to turn to results, otherwise the experience of scoring goals could turn sour for Vardy if he continues to be on the losing end.
#3 Michail Antonio
Another Premier League forward who could outscore Cristiano Ronaldo, Michail Antonio, has proved a revelation at West Ham. Since his arrival at the club in 2015, Antonio has only managed a tally of 10 goals twice in the Premier League.
The fortunes have turned and this season Antonio is functioning like an elite striker. He has used his strength exceptionally to engage defenders with the ball at his feet and use them as cover.
Even though the Premier League is just in its opening phase with six fixtures played, Antonio has scored five goals and provided three assists. The Jamaican also became West Ham's leading Premier League goalscorer of all time this season.
David Moyes' astute management is doing wonders for the east London club, who finished sixth in the Premier League last term and are contesting the Europa League this season.
If the start is anything to go by, West Ham and especially Antonio could be up for another spectacular season. It could mean that he may even end up finding the back of the net more often than Cristiano Ronaldo.
#2 Romelu Lukaku
Chelsea splashed some serious cash amounting to £97.5 million to bring "Big Rom" back to the Premier League. That value has all the capability of converting itself into the Premier League's Golden Boot. Chelsea were in desperate need of bringing home a striker who could contribute at least a surplus of 15 goals.
Romelu Lukaku's return to the Premier League could have been the biggest story of the transfer window. However, Cristiano Ronaldo then made a return of his own by joining Manchester United, grabbing all the headlines.
Lukaku and Cristiano Ronaldo have been close competitors in Serie A over the last two years. Since the Chelsea striker was beaten in the race for the Golden Boot in Italy last season, he'll be hungry to prove a point this term.
Chelsea's preferred 3-4-3 system could bring the best out of Lukaku, who has the potential to outscore Cristiano Ronaldo in the Premier League this season. Undoubtedly, this could turn into an exciting battle between two world-class strikers.
#1 Mohamed Salah
Scoring goals in the Premier League comes naturally to the Egyptian king and there is no doubt that he will be among the top scorers yet again this season. Mohamed Salah is Jurgen Klopp's most lethal weapon and his confidence is contagious.
Salah has started brightly in both the Champions League and the Premier League this season. He has managed three goals in two games in the European competition and has already scored five in the Premier League. Talk about not caring if there is a Cristiano Ronaldo in your town.
With Salah only going from strength-to-strength game after game, Liverpool are desperate to tie down the two-time Premier League golden boot winner to a new contract. He became the fourth-fastest Premier League player to reach the 100-goal mark and did so in only 151 appearances.
Salah is easily one of the most prolific forwards in the world at the moment and has already established a headstart in terms of outscoring Cristiano Ronaldo.
