Manchester United cruised to a 2-1 win against Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday as Cristiano Ronaldo got back on the scoresheet with his first Premier League goal of the season. Ronaldo, 37, scored his 700th club career goal to give United the lead after Antony had equalized from Alex Iwobi's early opener.

THE smile from Cristiano Ronaldo was of supreme satisfaction.

Just as the finish that summed up so much of why he is one of the greatest goal scorers in the history of football.

What that reaction really meant as he stood in the Merseyside rain with his hands clasped just above his stomach was, however, open to question.

Was it simply about reaching the incredible milestone of 700 goals in his club career, in just 943 appearances with Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus?

Was it anything to do with the fact that his brilliant 42nd minute strike had just completed a barnstorming first half comeback by Erik ten Hag’s side?

Or really, was it more about showing the Dutchman and the rest of the world that he remains a potent force when so many had believed his status as one of the great superstars of the game was already history?

The betting would be on that last theory, as Antony joined him to imitate his gesture in what was such a momentous moment.

The irony was that he shouldn’t have been on the pitch at all for United manager Ten Hag had once again consigned him to the bench.

Anthony Martial was preferred in the starting line-up, but the Frenchman injured his hip in the warm-up and it was touch and go on whether he would actually make kick-off.

Yet he did and, as has become the norm for CR7, he was sat with the back-up men, face in neutral.