Antonio Conte stays cautious of the menace Cristiano Ronaldo poses, with the Tottenham boss stating that “we misplaced to him, not United final season”.
- Portuguese starred final season
- Claimed one other match ball
- Italian coach is an enormous fan
WHAT HAPPENED? Spurs are due again at Outdated Trafford on Wednesday for the primary time since Portuguese famous person Ronaldo recorded a surprising treble in opposition to them in March. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was at his sensible finest that day, with one other match ball added to his assortment after inspiring Manchester United to a 3-2 victory on dwelling soil. Ronaldo has but to achieve the identical heights in 2022-23 amid struggles for type underneath new boss Erik ten Hag, however Conte insists he can nonetheless be the difference-maker.
WHAT THEY SAID: The Tottenham boss has stated of lining up in opposition to an all-time nice once more: “Final season he scored a hat-trick in opposition to us. We’re speaking about an unbelievable participant, a high participant. We’re speaking a couple of participant who continues to make a distinction for the workforce through which he performs. I’ve lots of admiration for Cristiano, for his professionalism, however I hope he’ll stay calm, not like final season, when he scored three targets. We misplaced 3-2, however we misplaced to him, to not United final season. I do not forget that very properly, as a result of we performed an excellent sport.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE: Ronaldo opened the scoring in opposition to Spurs with a 25-yard thunderbolt, earlier than placing United again in entrance following a Harry Kane penalty and finishing his hat-trick with a thumping header after Harry Maguire had put via his personal web – changing into, at 37 years of age, the second-oldest participant behind Teddy Sheringham to register a treble within the Premier League.
IN THREE PHOTOS:
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DID YOU KNOW? Ronaldo has scored eight Premier League targets in opposition to Spurs (together with six in his final three) – in opposition to no aspect does he have extra within the competitors.
WHAT NEXT? United enter their assembly with Spurs sat fifth within the desk, seven factors and two locations again on Conte’s aspect, and are nonetheless looking for consistency underneath Ten Hag – with it but to be decided whether or not Ronaldo will retain his beginning spot in midweek after seeing loads of bench responsibility this season.