Italian head coach Antonio Conte remains wary of the threat posed by Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo, with the Spurs manager pointing out they lost to him and not to the Red Devils last season.
What did Conte say about Cristiano Ronaldo?
Tottenham are set to return to Old Trafford on Wednesday for the first time since Cristiano Ronaldo recorded a stunning trill against them in March. The Portugal captain was at his brilliant best that day, with another match ball added to his collection after spurring the Red Devils to a 3-2 win on home soil. Cristiano is yet to reach the same heights in 2022-23 amid a form struggle under new head coach Erik ten Hag, but Antonio insists he can still be the difference.
The Spurs head coach has said of lining up again against a great player that Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick against them last season. According to Antonio Conte, they are talking about an incredible player, a top player. They are talking about a player who continues to make a difference for the team he plays for.
Conte has a lot of admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo for his professionalism, but he hopes he will remain calm, not like last season when he scored three goals. They lost 3-2 but lost to him, not Man Utd last season. Antonio Conte says he remembers it very well because they played a very good game.
A little about Cristiano Ronaldo
Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring against Spurs with a 25-yard thunder before putting Manchester United back in front from a Harry Kane penalty and completing his hat-trick with a header after Harry Maguire put through his own net – becoming, aged 37 years old, the second oldest player behind Teddy Sheringham to file a trill in the PL.
Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has scored eight Premier League goals against Tottenham (including six in his last three) – against no side he has more in the competition.