Ronaldo nets 1st Europa League goal as United beats Sheriff

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo scores his side's second goal on a penalty lick during the Europa League, group E soccer match between Sheriff Tiraspol and Manchester United at the Zimbru stadium, in Chisinau, Moldova, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022. (AP

Cristiano Ronaldo scored the first Europa League goal of his career to help Manchester United rebound from an opening loss in the second-tier competition with a 2-0 victory over Sheriff Tiraspol on Thursday.

The Champions League record scorer converted from the spot after Jadon Sancho gave United a 1-0 lead in Moldova. It was the 37-year-old Ronaldo's first goal of the season and 699th in club competition. After failing to secure a transfer to a club in the Champions League - where he's scored 141 goals - the Portugal striker had to settle for playing in the Europa League for the first time since 2002 with Sporting Lisbon.