RIVALRY IS RON AGAIN

CRISTIANO RONALDO will renew his 18-year rivalry with Manchester City tomorrow, 12 years after he last faced them. Ronaldo’s first derby was in December 2003 when Paul Scholes scored twice in a 3-1 win at Old Trafford.

In total, he has played in 13 derbies, started 11, played 970 minutes, won eight, drew two, lost three, scored four goals and made one assist.

Ronaldo’s three best derby moments:

MANCHESTER UNITED 4

MANCHESTER CITY 2

(FA CUP 5TH ROUND)

FEBRUARY 2004: Ronaldo was just 19 when he scored his second Reds goal and first in the FA Cup during a fiery clash at Old Trafford.

Gary Neville was sent off in the first half with United 1-0 in front. But Ronaldo sealed victory when he netted the third from close range.

MANCHESTER CITY 0 MANCHESTER UNITED 1

(PREMIER LEAGUE)

MAY 2007: Bleary-eyed United faced City just 60 hours after losing in the Champions League semifinals to AC Milan in the San Siro, but Ronaldo showed no signs of fatigue.

He shrugged off being stamped on early on by Michael Ball to score the winner from the penalty spot after he was fouled by the Blues defender. And he secured his first United title 24 hours later when Arsenal drew with Chelsea.

MANCHESTER UNITED 2 MANCHESTER CITY 0

(PREMIER LEAGUE)

MAY 2009: Scored the opener from a deflected free-kick – the 118th and final goal of his first spell at Old Trafford. It was his 26th goal of a phenomenal season. He clinched his third successive title with United six days later when the Reds drew 0-0 with Arsenal, before joining Real Madrid for £80m.