Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United celebrates after scoring a penalty in a 2-0 win at Sheriff Tiraspol during their Europa League match in Tiraspol, Moldova, September 15, 2022. /CFP
Cristiano Ronaldo scored for the first time this season as Manchester United got their Europa League campaign back on track with a 2-0 win at Sheriff Tiraspol on Thursday.
Ronaldo had gone seven games without a goal this term before the United striker converted a first half penalty against the Moldovan champions.
It was the 37-year-old's 699th club goal, but Ronaldo's low-key celebration was in keeping with the comfortable nature of United's third successive away victory.
Ronaldo has remained "totally committed" to the Manchester United project, the club's manager Erik ten Hag said after the match.
"He's totally committed to this project, totally committed to this team, totally involved. He also has connections that are coming around him and he is constructing connections so I'm happy with that," the manager said.
"He has to work really hard and invest to get the right fitness. He will score more goals. He's really close. When he gets more fitness, he will score more."
Jadon Sancho (L) of Manchester United controls the ball during their Europa League match with Sheriff Tiraspol in Tiraspol, Moldova, September 15, 2022. /CFP
Taking Christian Eriksen's pass in his stride, Jadon Sancho put United ahead as he cleverly switched direction inside the Sheriff area, giving himself room to plant a cool finish into the bottom corner.
Sancho was denied a second goal when Moldovan's center-back Stjepan Radeljic cleared his shot off the line, but United still doubled their lead in the 39th minute.
(With input from agencies)