Since Manchester United's bruising 4-0 defeat to Brentford, Cristiano Ronaldo has not started a single Premier League game for the Reds.
Erik ten Hag has instead turned to the 37-year-old when selecting all four of his Europa League starting XIs this season. Anthony Martial's injury-enforced substitution at Goodison Park last weekend saw Ronaldo come on after just half an hour had been played, and it did not take him long to make an impact.
Casemiro played a perfectly weighted through ball to his former Real Madrid teammate to calmly slot home past Jordan Pickford. Ronaldo's 700th club goal sealed all three points for his side, as he added his left-footed strike to the growing list of times he has come to the rescue for United during his career.
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Following the Everton victory, Ten Hag turned to Ronaldo once again to lead the line for the Reds in Europe. This time it would be Scott McTominay who made the difference, scoring the game's only goal with United's 34th attempt of the match.
Eddie Howe's Newcastle United await the Reds on Sunday afternoon. Martial could well be fit enough to return to action from the off, but Ronaldo's performance against Everton may have handed Ten Hag a pleasant dilemma.
During United's 4-1 win over Newcastle at Old Trafford last season, Ronaldo made his second debut for the club after 12 years away. The Portugal international went on to score two goals during the win and made clear his intentions to help the squad when speaking after the match.
He told Sky Sports: “The reception was incredible. I was thinking last night that I wanted to show I’m still capable of helping the team. I think we are in a good way, we have to win games, build up the confidence, build up the team and I am here to help the team.”
Ronaldo certainly was there to help the team, as he went on to score 18 league goals that season. Although he has struggled so far this campaign, albeit with far fewer minutes, his desire to help his teammates succeed is something that cannot be doubted.
He has helped his team out on countless occasions and will continue to do so whenever he can. Although he has faced heavy criticism this season, Ronaldo has remained true to his word in his efforts to help the team when he has been called upon.
Whether from the bench or the starting XI, it would not be surprising if he were to do so again on Sunday.
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