Manchester was like Hollywood, says Gary Neville, as the city celebrated Cristiano Ronaldo's remarkable second debut for Man United.
Ronaldo scored twice on Saturday at Old Trafford as Newcastle were beaten 4-1, announcing himself back at the Theatre of Dreams in typical fashion.
Neville says the hype and anticipation around Old Trafford was a once-in-a-generation moment.
"I’ve not seen Manchester like that for years and years," Neville said on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football.
"I’m not saying 12 to 18 months where there’s been no crowds, but I’m going back 10-15 years. It was almost like a major event, Hollywood, something massive was happening in Manchester."
Ronaldo completed a shock return to United in the final days of the summer window, 12 years after leaving for Real Madrid in what was then a world-record fee.
Now 36 years old, Ronaldo remains one of the best players in the world and Neville says the atmosphere - the "impact" - of the player remains staggering.
Neville continued: "It’s only when you realise how big Ronaldo is, the stature of him, the impact he has, not just on football but non-football people. Kids that just were desperate the fact Ronaldo shirts.
"Ronaldo mania, it just mania and it’s so exciting for Manchester United and the Premier League.
We’re always pragmatic, will he improve them as a football team, will they score goals? The thing about Ronaldo is, is that he’s a star and there was never a second that he wouldn’t deliver, there was never a second where he wouldn’t score a goal.
"There are only a few sports people, who can deliver like that, once-in-a-lifetime people, he delivers like you wouldn’t believe."
