Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to spearhead Manchester United’s attack when the Red Devils host Premier League rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.
Since his return to the club in the summer, the 36-year-old has scored nine goals in 11 games.
Ronaldo scored in the Premier League’s 3-0 triumph over Tottenham Hotspur last weekend before scoring twice in the Champions League’s 2-2 draw with Atalanta BC on Tuesday.
The Portugal international will now be looking to lead Ole Gunnar Solsjaer’s team to a famous victory in this weekend’s Manchester derby.
During his professional career, Ronaldo has met Man City 14 times, winning nine times, drawing two times, and losing three times in all competitions.
Against the reigning English champions, the Portugal international has five goals and three assists, with four of those goals coming during his first stay at Man United.
Interestingly, all three of his previous Champions League games against the Citizens occurred while he was at Real Madrid, and he scored against them in the group stage of the 2012-13 competition, as well as helping his team win the 2015-16 event in the semi-finals.
Ronaldo has faced Man City ten times in the Premier League and has a solid record against them, with six victories, one draw, and three loses, as well as three goals and two assists.
During the 2006-07 season, the iconic forward failed to score in his first five Premier League games versus Man City before scoring both at home and away.
During the 2008-09 season, Ronaldo also scored in his final Premier League match against Man United’s arch-rivals, scoring in a 2-0 triumph at Old Trafford.
During the 2003-04 season, the former Sporting Lisbon youth also shone against Man City in the FA Cup fifth round, scoring and assisting in a 4-2 victory at Old Trafford.
Ronaldo should be confident going into Saturday’s match against the Citizens, having lost just three of his 14 games against them in all competitions. Man United are looking to draw level on points with the Citizens in the Premier League table.
