Antonio Conte reveals Cristiano Ronaldo ‘hope’ ahead of Man Utd v Tottenham clash

The Manchester United forward scored a hat-trick the last time he faced Spurs.
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Antonio Conte has said he hopes Cristiano Ronaldo ‘stays calm’ during Manchester United’s Premier League meeting with Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night.

The Portugal forward settled the points when the sides last played each other, with Ronaldo netting a hat-trick in a 3-2 victory for the Red Devils, while Harry Kane scored for Spurs along with an unfortunate Harry Maguire own-goal.

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That March evening remains one of the highlights for Ronaldo since his return to Old Trafford in the summer of 2021, but Conte is hoping to avoid a similar scenario when Spurs travel to Manchester this week.

Asked how highly he rates the former Real Madrid and Juventus star, Conte responded: “I think I am the last person to make this question, because last season he scored a hat-trick against us! And fingers crossed [he doesn’t do the same again].

“We are talking about an amazing player, a top player. In my opinion, we are talking about a player that continues to make the difference for the team that he is playing for. Cristiano with [Lionel] Messi, they made the story of football in the last 10 years, in the last 15 years.

Ronaldo was the star performer when the sides last met. Credit: Getty.Ronaldo was the star performer when the sides last met. Credit: Getty.
Ronaldo was the star performer when the sides last met. Credit: Getty.

“I think every single word is not good enough to explain the greatness of these players,” Conte continued. “I have great admiration for Cristiano, for his professionalism, but I hope tomorrow to stay calm, not like last season, when he scored three goals.

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“We lost 3-2, but we lost against him, not against United last season. I remember very well, because we played a very good game, and he solved the situation a lot.”

Martial or Rashford may start in place of Ronaldo on Wednesday. Credit: Getty.Martial or Rashford may start in place of Ronaldo on Wednesday. Credit: Getty.
Martial or Rashford may start in place of Ronaldo on Wednesday. Credit: Getty.

However, Ronaldo is not a certainty to start against Spurs on Wednesday. The 37-year-old has been selected in the last two starting line-ups but has failed to impress in either of the games against Omonia Nicosia or Newcastle United.

With the Red Devils facing Newcastle, Tottenham and Chelsea in the space of three days, Ronaldo could also be rested for Wednesday’s game, while Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial may be in line for a return to the starting line-up for the visit of Spurs depending on their respective fitness levels.