Omonia manager Neil Lennon has praised Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of their Europa League clash.
Lennon said he would prefer to face a Manchester United team without Ronaldo, whom he described as a “great” player.
“Always without Ronaldo. You see what he did on Sunday: you know the goal on the counterattack, it’s on and Casemiro sees the run and he’s already doing it, and you’re just thinking about the goal,” Lennon said, when asked if he would prefer to see the Portuguese in the Man Utd lineup
He added: “You always want to see the greats play, but not when you are the coach of the opposition.”
Cristiano Ronaldo has started every one of Man Utd’s Europa League games this season
Ronaldo has started for Manchester United in every one of their Europa League games this season. If Ronaldo makes it to the Red Devils’ starting eleven against Omonia, it will be his fourth consecutive start in the competition.
Ronaldo has also scored a goal in all three games he has played so far in the Europa League this season. The 37-year-old drew a blank as Man Utd lost 1-0 to Real Sociedad in their 22/23 Europa League opener.
But the Portuguese scored a goal as the Old Trafford side secured a 2-0 victory over FC Sheriff in their next game. Ronaldo converted from the spot after Diogo Dalot had won a penalty in that match.
Man Utd met Omonia in their third group stage match and secured a 3–2 victory. Ronaldo did not know how to capitalize on the opportunities he had when he went blank again. But he recorded an assist, setting up Marcus Rashford for Man Utd’s third.
Meanwhile, Man Utd will be hoping for a comfortable win when they take on the Cypriot side in their next game. The Red Devils currently sit second in Group E, behind Real Sociedad.
Man Utd have 6 points from three matches and a win over Omonia would take them to nine points.
Man Utd enter the game after a win over Everton
Erik ten Hag’s men arrive at the game following their 2-1 win over Everton in the Premier League. And it was Ronaldo who scored the winning goal, coming off the bench to put Manchester United ahead just before half-time.
Meanwhile, Man Utd’s next game in the Premier League is against Newcastle United. They will host Newcastle United at Old Trafford, with the match kicking off at 6:30pm Indian Standard Time on October 16.
