The step-overs were back, there was a backheel, a strop, and a contender for goal of the month. Only Cristiano Ronaldo’s characteristic celebration was missing, as he opted for a knee-slide instead. A goalscorer’s drought is usually broken by luck, not Ronaldo’s. The 15th goal of his second season at Manchester United was possibly his best and most crucial.
Since midway through the 2008-09 season, when United were champions of England, Europe, and the world, Ronaldo had not gone seven games without scoring. This time, his ineffective streak came to a stop after six games, and Ronaldo may still be able to match the 26 goals he scored the previous season.
For the time being, United holds the final Champions League qualification spot, and their ability to keep Ronaldo for a second season is contingent on their participation in the competition. For as long as he can remember in his professional career, Thursday nights have been nights off for Ronaldo.
Despite the presence of media gurus and communications personnel, Ronaldo remains United’s crisis management expert. During a bleak first half, mutiny simmered as Brighton dominated and missed two promising chances to take the lead. The Glazers, the absentee landlords, were singled out, and a few players were chastised.
