Flashback: Cristiano Ronaldo's top five Manchester United goals

Like just about everyone in the football world, I cannot wait for the sporting spectacle at Madrid on Wednesday night.

Apart from the fact that two of the biggest clubs in the world are facing each other in Europe’s elite competition at one of football’s cathedrals, the match has that added extra spice to it with Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo set to face his former club for the first time since he left in 2009. The superlatives to define Ronaldo’s talent have dried up, especially when you realize that he has scored a remarkable 300 goals for Manchester United and Real Madrid combined and most of them have been eye catching ones.

So, to get you in the mood for Ronaldo’s re-union with his former club, I’ve selected some of his finest goals for Manchester United to give you a sense of nostalgia. Sit back and enjoy!

5. Back Heel v Aston Villa (March 2008, Premier League)

A goal of pure instinct set United on their way to a 4-0 victory. Giggs’ corner fell kindly into the penalty area and there was Ronaldo, with the flick of his right foot sending the ball into the back of the net, leaving everyone awestruck. Such were his goal scoring exploits at that time of the season that an audacious finish like that was considered just about routine for Ronaldo.

4. Crucial goal v Fulham (February 2007, Premier League)

When Rooney scored the winner at Craven Cottage last week, he compared the goal to the one that Ronaldo scored in 2007. Ronaldo’s strike still remains fresh in the memory because it proved pivotal in that season’s title race as United were finding it difficult to break down Fulham’s stubborn defense, until Ronaldo picked up the loose ball from the halfway line and showed great athleticism and composure to carry it along the touchline and fire it home into the bottom corner.

3. Free Kick v Arsenal (May 2009, Champions League Semi-final Second Leg)

Defending a slender 1-0 lead from first leg, Ji Sung Park had already doubled the advantage for United before they were awarded a free kick 35 yards from goal in the 11^th minute. The commentator doubted whether this was within Ronaldo’s range and even before he could complete his statement, the ball was already in the back of net, past a hapless Manuel Almunia. There was no route back for Arsenal.

2. Free Kick v Portsmouth (January 2008, Premier League)

A free kick style that Cristiano Ronaldo had made his own. He has scored a number of stunning free kicks for both Madrid and United, but this one against Portsmouth from 25 yards out is the one that really stands out. David James might have been goal keeping in the Premier League since its inception, but even he would have never seen the ball go past him like a rocket, as he was rooted to the ground and could only watch as the ball fired from Ronaldo’s boot went up and over the wall and into the back of the net like a flash. Absolutely stunning.

1. 40 yard screamer v Porto (April 2009, Champions League quarter final second leg)

The challenge was to win at Porto, which no English side had ever achieved in the past, after Porto had gained a hard fought 2-2 draw in the first leg at Old Trafford. Obviously, it needed something special. Special it was, when Ronaldo picked up a pass from Anderson 40 yards away from goal and fired home an absolute screamer which went past the Porto keeper like a tracer bullet. A goal scored from that distance is usually due to the mistake in positioning of the keeper. But none whatsoever in this case where even two keepers wouldn’t have been able to save the goal, such was the quality of the strike from the magical right foot of Cristiano Ronaldo.