Cristiano Ronaldo: Wayne Rooney welcomed him to Premier League with brutal tackle | OneFootball

Cristiano Ronaldo was welcomed to the Premier League by a wild tackle by Wayne Rooney back in 2003.

The two young superstars met at Old Trafford for Manchester United and Everton respectively.

Back then, Ronaldo was a young tricky winger. He loved to showboat with his countless stepovers and flicks.

But when he came up against an 18-year-old Rooney, there was no time for showing off.

With United 2-1 ahead in the second half, Ronaldo had the ball near the touchline and decided to produce a few foot-rolls on the ball. Rooney saw his opportunity and lunged in with a wild tackle, catching Ronaldo high up his leg.

Quite how Rooney didn’t get sent off by referee Mike Dean is a mystery.

Welcome to the Premier League, Cristiano.

VIDEO: Rooney’s response to Cristiano’s showboating in 2003

Funnily enough, Rooney and Ronaldo were teammates at Man Utd just eight months later.

Antony’s skill for Man Utd vs Sheriff

So, why are we remembering this moment between Rooney and Ronaldo?

Well, on Thursday night, United’s Antony went viral for some of the most pointless showboating we’ve ever seen.

The winger, with time and space on the ball during the game against Sheriff Tiraspol decided to spin around with the ball at his feet. If that wasn’t pointless enough, he then proceeded to kick the ball out for a goal kick.

Erik ten Hag’s face said it all, while he was then substituted at half time.

Antony should consider himself fortunate that a certain Rooney wasn’t playing for Sheriff last night. Because we dread to think how he would have reacted.

After the match, Ten Hag admitted he doesn’t mind tricks – as long as they’re beneficial.

“I don’t have a problem with tricks as long as it’s functional,” said Ten Hag.

“I demand more from him – more runs behind, more often in the box and more playing in the pocket.

“When there is a trick like that, it’s nice as long as it’s functional. If you’re not losing the ball, then it’s OK – but if it’s a trick because of a trick, then I will correct him.”

Asked if that substitution was a response to Antony’s showboating, Ten Hag replied: “No. It was more or less planned if we were up.

“I wanted to see Marcus Rashford and Cristiano Ronaldo close together and the dynamic on the right side.”

You can maybe get away with that in the Europa League against lesser opposition. But we’d like to see Antony try that in the Premier League against West Ham at the weekend…