EVERYONE REMEMBERS CRISTIANO Ronaldo’s competitive debut for Manchester United – the dazzling, 30-minute cameo against Bolton in mid-August 2003.
But the teenager had to wait until 1st November to score his first goal for the club.
It came in a home clash with Portsmouth and the youngster was summoned from the bench, along with Roy Keane, to push United over the line with fourteen minutes to go.
Leading through Diego Forlan’s first-half strike, the game was still in the balance when the pair were introduced.
Just four minutes after coming on, Ronaldo’s free-kick from the left side evaded everyone and flew past Shaka Hislop in the Pompey goal.
And moments later, Keane put the result beyond any doubt by grabbing United’s third.
Ronaldo would finish his debut season with six goals for the club, including one in the 3-0 FA Cup final victory over Millwall.
Here are the lineups from that winter’s afternoon at Old Trafford:
Man Utd:
Howard, Gary Neville, O’Shea, Ferdinand, Fortune, Fletcher, Butt, Djemba-Djemba (Keane 76), Giggs (Bellion 81), Forlan (Ronaldo 76), van Nistelrooy.
Subs Not Used: Carroll, Phil Neville.
Portsmouth:
Hislop, Stefanovic, De Zeeuw, Foxe, Zivkovic (Roberts 81), Stone, Quashie, Sherwood (Taylor 69), Berger, Ayegbini, Sheringham.
Subs Not Used: Wapenaar, Schemmel, O’Neil.
Frank Murphy is ref. Expect a lot of cards, clocked stopped and many decisions going Munsters way.
@Clark: Nah, he usually he over compensates, But yea if we need the auld ‘ref card’ against Leinster A then the final wont be much fun.
Should be in the RDS
@Fintan McGrogan: it’s a disgrace, the Aviva is basically Munsters 2nd home in D4 now at this stage. Leinster losing all the home advantage with this one ;)
@Fintan McGrogan: why is it in Aviva anyway?
Frank is refereeing so Munster are goosed already.
@Patrick O Connell: The complete opposite. #OneOfYourOwn
@Patrick O Connell: munsters most valuable squad member is Frank. How can the league be taken seriously when they let this man in charge of any game never mind a munster one.
@Chris Mc: whatever about your view of his as a ref…can’t say he’s biased towards munster.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: he always gives us a good going over. We have bad experiences with home grown refs unlike ye had with Rolland
@Patrick O Connell: rugby needs to move on from home town refs and tmo’s
It’s hardly a massive side when one side doesn’t need to win it and will be resting almost ALL of their first 15! Be shocked to see any more than 2-3 potential starters for European final playing for Leinster