Five magic Cristiano Ronaldo moments at Manchester United

Cristiano Ronaldo is returning to Manchester United after 12 years away at Real Madrid and Juventus. 

Here, let's take a look at five of the best moments from his first stint at Old Trafford.

In the 61st minute of the game, wearing the famous No. 7 jersey of Manchester United with blonde streaks in his hair, in came Cristiano Ronaldo for Nicky Butt against Bolton. Photo: Twitter

Dazzling debut

Ronaldo joined United after players urged coach Alex Ferguson to sign him following a pre-season friendly against Sporting Lisbon where the winger had dazzled. After a £12 million investment, Ronaldo made his debut in the red shirt coming off the bench with United a goal up against Bolton in August 2003. Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs (twice) and Ruud Van Nistelrooy got the goals, but all the talk was about the new teenage winger.

Cristiano Ronaldo with trophies won playing for Manchester United. Photo: Twitter

From hate figure to player of the year

Ronaldo was caught winking on camera as his United teammate Wayne Rooney was sent off for England at the 2006 World Cup, making the winger a hate figure across England. Instead of wilting under pressure he took the ascendency from Rooney at the heart of United, ending the season as player of the year and scoring the winning goal at Manchester City as United won the 2007 Premier League.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring his first-ever Champions League goal against Roma in 2007. Photo: Twitter

Ronaldo's first Champions League goals

Ronaldo produced one of his first true world class performances at Old Trafford in a 7-1 Champions League quarter-final win over Roma in April 2007. His snapshot opener and far-post tap in were in fact less impressive than his overall performance dominated the game.

Cristiano Ronaldo's incredible leap to score the opener against Chelsea in the Champions League final in 2008. Photo: Twitter

Towering header 

With Ronaldo's repertoire expanding, he added a new string to his bow with gravity-defying high leaps to head goals home. One of the early examples was his opener for United in their Champions League final against Chelsea in May 2008, when he soared above the defence to bang home a Paul Scholes cross. The match eventually went to penalties and Ronaldo failed to convert from the spot when stepping up first. He threw himself to the ground sobbing in relief when Nicolas Anelka's spot kick was also saved as United emerged narrow winners in Moscow, despite his miss.

Cristiano Ronaldo's long-range strike against Porto in the UEFA Champions League in 2009. Photo: Twitter

First United player to win Puskas award

In 2008, Ronaldo became the first United player to win the Ballon d'Or as best player in Europe since George Best a full 40 years earlier. His final season, however, was over-shadowed by a lurking Real Madrid and ankle injuries. But in Porto, Ronaldo scored a 35-metre wonder-strike in a Champions League quarter-final that won United the match and him the Puskas award for best European goal of the season in 2009. Ronaldo himself said it was the best goal he had ever scored.