A Juventus side inspired by Portuguese talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo cruised to a well-deserved 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford in a UEFA Champions League (UCL) Group H match on Tuesday night.

Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed his thanks to Manchester United’s supporters after receiving a warm welcome upon his return to the stadium on Tuesday.

The former Manchester United play maker, who won three Premier League titles and a Champions League medal with the Red Devils was involved in Paulo Dybala’s 17th minute winner, sending in a right-wing cross that found the Argentine forward off a combination of Chris Smalling and Juan Cuadrado.

Ronaldo almost had a goal for himself too on what was his second return to Old Trafford, with David de Gea’s magnificent save stopping his right-footed drive towards the top corner.

 Although Ronaldo and Juventus silenced the home crowd who had little to cheer as Jose Mourinho’s men failed to find their footing against the Serie A giants, the home fans gave their former hero an ovation at the end of the night.

As he walked off the pitch, having already posed for a photograph with a pitch invader, Ronaldo was applauded by those Red Devils supporters who had stayed inside the ground to salute their former hero.

 The warm welcome was appreciated by the Portuguese who also claimed the Ballon d’Or during a hugely successful six years with United before making the move to Real Madrid in 2009.

“An important victory in a very emotional match for me. It was great playing at Old Trafford again. Thanks to all the fans for the reception and support,” Ronaldo wrote on Instagram and other social media.

Tuesday’s victory by Juve, who also sit four points clear at the top of the Serie A saw Ronaldo and his team-mates make it three wins from as many matches in Group H to sit five points clear of United.

United is closely followed by Spain’s Valencia with two points while Switzerland’s Young Boys occupy the bottom of the Group H table with just a single point.