The day was simply his; Cristiano Ronaldo certainly explained to Ferguson why he deserved a rise of salary.

Going into the match against Stoke City on Saturday, Ronaldo was just one goal shy of a hundred for Manchester United and after an embarrassing afternoon at the Emirates a week before, the Portuguese Superstar was resolute to get things right – this time, in front of the home fans.

Cristiano Ronaldo was a master of free-kicks last season, and people might well remember the one he scored against Portsmouth at Old Trafford in the League, or again the one he got against his old club Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League to maintain Manchester United’s winning record at home in Europe…

This season though, out of the seven goals that Ronaldo had scored before Saturday’s game against Stoke, none was a free-kick; this fact coming much to the anxiety of his fervent supporters.
But at the Theatre of Dreams last weekend, Cristiano Ronaldo gave the best of him.

The talismanic number 7 had the chance to clinch his 100th goal under a Manchester United shirt when his side was awarded a free-kick inside three minutes. Ronaldo struck the ball with pace and precision, beating Sorensen in the process, to score an outraging 35 yards free kick which saw him hit a century in the most memorable way.

Cristiano Ronaldo was entertaining during the whole of the game, setting Carrick to double Manchester United’s lead just before half-time. Berbatov and youngster Welbeck had increased the Reds’ tally, and there was still time, after 88 minutes, for Ronaldo to work out wonders.

The same man who opened the score line with an amazing free kick closed it the same way: Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed a double, his 101st goal of his Manchester United career, with a beautifully taking free-kick to engrave his achievement on that day in a breathtaking manner.

Cristiano Ronaldo now has 8 goals in the Premier League and he is the second best scorer behind Nicolas Anelka. He is back at his best and is yet to challenge his tally of 42 goals.

Written by: Angela Asante