Erik ten Hag sends message to Cristiano Ronaldo after setting new World Record on Manchester United goal vs Everton

Erik ten Hag congratulated Cristiano Ronaldo on his 700th club goal, which was the difference in Manchester United’s 2-1 victory over Everton.

Ronaldo came on for the injured Anthony Martial in the 29th minute and rifled in his first goal from open play since April to secure the victory at Goodison Park.

“When you achieve 700 goals, that’s extremely impressive,” Ten Hag exclaimed. “It’s a fantastic performance, and I’m overjoyed for him.” I congratulate him on that performance, and I’m also glad it’s his first goal in the Premier League this season – he had to wait for it, and I’m sure there will be more.

“I believe that every player, even the best in the world, requires it, requires goals.”

“And I worked with many goal scorers, especially them, since they need goals every season to have that sensation, to reaffirm their intuition.” And once they have some goals, they get into the flow and the games become simpler to play. That will also happen to him.”

United have bounced back from their 6-3 loss at City with two away wins in Europe and the Premier League, resuming fifth place in the table.

Everton took the lead in the fifth minute thanks to Alex Iwobi’s curler, but Antony equalized 10 minutes later for his third goal in as many league games before Ronaldo scored in the 44th.

United trail fourth-placed Chelsea by one point and go to Stamford Bridge on October 22, with third-placed Tottenham visiting Old Trafford three days earlier.

“First and foremost, criticism is typical after a defeat, especially in a major game, especially in a derby,” Ten Hag recalled, “so we have to cope with that and you learn things.”

“We did that, we responded nicely, and we accomplished it already on Thursday.” And today’s first 35 minutes were excellent in and out of possession. It was also fantastic how you handled the setback, a goal against, you’re 1-0 down, but we respond much better by adhering to the plan, staying composed, and doing your job. It’s good to turn it around before halftime.

“Right now, we’re collecting points; we’re not looking at the table; we have to win every game – that’s our goal.” We have to improve every game, we have to improve the process, we have to prepare every game completely, and we demand that in every game the players give their all and cooperate.

“You can tell that the enthusiasm in this game is incredibly high in the group, and it’s not just the 11 players.” Again, a sub comes on and scores, and you see Victor Lindelof, Scott McTominay, and Rapha Varane come in, so we do more than 11 players, and I am pleased with that process.”