I’ve not felt a buzz like this since Cantona arrived

I’M out for a birthday dinner with Steve Bruce today and I know he’ll be saying: ‘Why did we have to be playing Manchester United when Cristiano Ronaldo came back?!’ I’ve not sensed a buzz around Old Trafford like this since Eric Cantona arrived. I turned up at the stadium at 11.45am yesterday and it was already packed outside.

Even afterwards, when fans have normally gone home, they were milling around still savouring the atmosphere. Programmes that are normally left unsold or left behind on tables in the lounges were all being snapped up just because they mark the day Cristiano returned.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many stewards protecting a player when he was doing pitchside interviews after the game. Lots of fans had stayed behind hoping to get a glimpse of him or an autograph.

It’s like a throwback to the glory days, he has given the place newfound belief.

What Cristiano showed yesterday is exactly what he can change for this team. United didn’t give a particularly startling performance but this guy made a difference. He senses opportunities, he is clinical — a level above.

He has the charisma to captivate the crowd and lift them. The encouragement being received against

Newcastle was the level normally afforded for opposition such as Liverpool, Manchester City or Chelsea.

It was a game maybe last year United would have drawn, but Cristiano is always pushing to win. He forced mistakes, anticipated danger and gave United their edge. He and Bruno Fernandes were great at urging their team-mates to pick up the pace.

I know he addressed the players on Friday night and that would have been when he underlined what he was back at the club for — and

that is to win. He’s not here for a fairytale that ends in failure.

Some players can talk it in a dressing room, how they are winners, but you can see through it. Not with this guy. You know it really hurts him to lose and he’ll have no qualms telling you. That is something others will thrive off.

I like the positivity that comes from Mason Greenwood but with Jadon Sancho I believe he is playing ‘safe’, almost within himself. I’d like him to be braver and I’m sure Cristiano will encourage the same.

Ole has gathered a really strong group now with quality in every position and with that comes the demand for success. How he manmanages this squad is key.

I spoke to Sir Alex Ferguson yesterday and he was excellent at that. He wasn’t bothered about upsetting players at times because it was always schemed to bring the best out of them.

Chelsea are stronger, as are City and Liverpool, but United will believe they can win the title. That’s what Cristiano is here for.