Twitter explodes as Cristiano Ronaldo seals 2-0 Manchester United win over Sheriff Tiraspol

Cristiano Ronaldo fans around the world went into a frenzy on Twitter following their talisman sealing an important victory for Manchester United in the Europa League against Sheriff Tiraspol. Ronaldo scored the second goal for the Red Devils as they won their first European game this season by a 2-0 margin on Thursday, September 15.

Playing against FC Sheriff Tiraspol, who won their first group stage match 3-0 against Omonia, Erik ten Hag's men dominated proceedings. They held off the Moldovan side on their home ground.

The game started with the hosts actively seeking out chances in the final third and putting effort at goal. However, they did not have the clinical quality to open the scoring, and a defensive lapse in concentration saw Manchester United score first.

Christian Eriksen continued his good form for the English outfit by turning provider with a brilliant pass through the middle to Jadon Sancho. The England international took two touches to open himself up on the edge of the box and powered a left-footed shot into the net to put the Red Devils ahead in the 17th minute.

A mistake from the Sheriff defense saw Patrick Kpozo trip Diogo Dalot in the penalty area with 38 minutes on the clock, and the referee pointed to the spot immediately. Cristiano Ronaldo took responsibility for the penalty, and the Portuguese superstar converted with ease, putting the ball down the middle and scoring his first goal of the season.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United see off stumbling Sheriff

While Manchester United did not score another goal, two first-half efforts were enough to seal the deal against the Moldovan powerhouse. Sheriff continued to make attempts at goal, notably having more shots (11) than the visitors (8). However, their poor finishing display let them down as they only managed to put two shots on target.

The Red Devils, however, were the more clinical side, and they will be glad that the scoreline cemented their better performances. While they dominated the first half and managed to breach Sheriff's defense, they were unable to score in the second half. Sheriff maintained a firm defense to hold them out.

Cristiano Ronaldo was eventually substituted off for Anthony Elanga in the 81st minute. However, the Portugal international will be pleased to have opened his account this campaign, following a troubling seven appearances without a goal.

The forward will hope he has a successful season at Old Trafford, with the Red Devils intent on winning the Europa League.

Here is how Twitter reacted to United's win and Cristiano Ronaldo's goal against the Moldovan outfit:

Weekly reminder that Christian Eriksen is mint👍🏻 #mufc

I speak for everyone when I say that Sheriff is better than every single team in Ligue 1 Uber Eats other than PSG.

Penalty or not he really needed that goal for his confidence and now he hopefully gets a few more and gets in form.

Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored against 170 DIFFERENT teams in his career.

124 clubs. 46 countries. 🤯🔥 https://t.co/GaNQ3lziR8

Ronaldo decided to play Europa to break all records at the group stage and move to a UCL team in January

The whole Sheriff crowd celebrated Ronaldo scoring against them 😭 https://t.co/aB5QIqZbmx

Christian Eriksen after controlling the midfield for another game at Manchester United ♨️ https://t.co/3zkesOHOXI

Manchester United have yet to lose a match with Bruno Fernandes as captain 💪 https://t.co/mpylBMJJbB

Cristiano Ronaldo’s game by numbers vs. Sheriff Tiraspol:

52 touches
33 passes completed
3 shots
2 dribbles
1 shot on target
1 goal

Goal number 699 in club football. 🇵🇹 https://t.co/Xwb9XslcP2

699 club goals and counting 📈

Ronaldo things 🐐 https://t.co/KeBXzD6Jk3

A straightforward win for #mufc. In-form individuals impressive again and can't imagine there'll be many changes to the XI for the derby in 16 days' time. Back four stable again and Eriksen classy.

Varane x Martinez partnership returned, and Man Utd returned to winning ways with ANOTHER clean sheet.

Now 5 games, 5 wins, 3 clean sheets, and just 2 goals conceded.

My centre-backs ❤️ https://t.co/AjUEGHTRas

@utdreport Erik Ten Hag is winning the Europa League

@utdreport Very very boring but 3 points are 3 points

Onto the next UTFR

@utdreport Boring game but we will take the win

@ManUtd The goat ronaldo scoring and us winning Erick start the goat every game ik messi fanboys shaking rn

@ManUtd I wanted 2 things tonight:
1 - Don't concede to 'FC Sheriff'.
2 - Don't lose to 'FC Sheriff'.
I've no idea how it came to pass, but I'm very grateful.

@ManUtd This makes us happy
I love how The whole stadium celebrated Ronaldo’s suiii even the away fans
Didn’t expect a wild suiii from the fans
decent game for Ronaldo good win Man U ❤️✨ https://t.co/KGtwZYWpVj

The coolest man in Moldova right now 😎 https://t.co/Quu25kJE7E

It’s definitely not a coincidence that Manchester United have won every game this season when Harry Maguire doesn’t start https://t.co/IDLkCZ4ejT

Cristiano Ronaldo gets his first ever Europa League goal 👏 https://t.co/cjKx523Mmb

First goal of the season. First ever Europa League goal. 699 goals.

37-years-old and Cristiano Ronaldo is still going 🐐 https://t.co/4L7AagRODr

Cristiano Ronaldo at 38 still breaking ankles 🐐

#RonaldoDay https://t.co/xywA4OW6GE

Rival fans laughing at Man Utd and Cristiano Ronaldo for doing the SIU against Sheriff should remember that same team beat Real Madrid, who knocked out PSG, Chelsea, Man City, and Liverpool to win last season's UCL trophy.

CRISTIANO RONALDO

THE GREATEST THERE IS. THE GREATEST THERE WAS. THE GREATEST THERE EVER WILL BE. WE'VE ARRIVEDD!!!!

First-ever Europa League goal for Ronaldo ⚽️✅

#UEL https://t.co/jghaleX7o3

The win moves United to second in the Group E table with three points, behind Real Sociedad.