Former Arsenal star, Paul Merson, has made a U-turn on his criticism of Cristiano Ronaldo following the Red Devils’ Champions League 2-2 draw with Atalanta on Tuesday night.
Ronaldo’s brace ensured Man United got a point against Atalanta in Italy.
The Portugal captain has now scored nine goals in 11 appearances since returning to Man United from Juventus in the summer transfer window.
Merson was among those to question Man United’s move for Ronaldo and claimed they instead should have signed Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane.
But Merson has made a U-turn, insisting that he is ‘lost for words’ watching Ronaldo continue to perform exceptionally well for Man United at the age of 36.
“It has got to be one of the best finishes of all-time; it’s just out of absolutely nothing,” Merson was quoted by Metro UK as saying.
“He didn’t touch the ball in the second half. Not through his fault, he just didn’t get the service. But it comes to him and there’s no snatching at it, he hits through the ball perfectly.
“It is absolutely phenomenal and his first goal was brilliant as well.
“I was one of the big critics. I was one who was not sure about him coming back. But if you give him chances, he will score goals. Thirty-six or 46, it doesn’t make any difference, he will finish.
“If you took away his two goals tonight, he’s two out of 10. But his two goals are phenomenal and I am lost for words.”
