Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Cristiano Ronaldo's continuous hunger to succeed is the key to him thriving in big moments in matches.
Ronaldo, who returned to Old Trafford during the summer transfer window from Juventus, delivered once again when United needed him most on Wednesday evening, netting an 81st minute winner to help the Reds complete a sensational comeback against Atalanta in the Champions League.
After finding themselves 2-0 down at half time, United managed to get themselves back on level terms through goals from Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire, before Ronaldo scored a dramatic winner as he headed home Luke Shaw's pinpoint cross.
That wasn't the firs time the Portuguese has been United's saviour since returning to the club in August, providing a last-gasp winner against Villarreal, also in the Champions League, last month.
Despite being 36, Ronaldo is showing no signs of relenting as a top goal-scorer. And for Solskjaer those traits come down to him still having the hunger and desire to deliver.
Solskjaer told Sky Sports : "First of all, he's fit enough to do it still. But he's played this game 500 times before.
"He's been in that situation so many times, and it's one of them: 'I know what [team-mate Luke Shaw] is going to do, I know where I need to be and I'm still capable of doing it'. That's key.
"He's changed his position from being a wide forward into more of a box centre forward because he knows how to score a goal, he wants to score goals. When he first came, with all the tricks and the pace, he had the hunger - and he's still got the hunger.
"He's done what every player has to do throughout his career, you have to evolve."
Although Ronaldo has scored six goals in eight appearances since returning to the club, the Portuguese ace has been criticised for his work-rate off the ball. But Solskjaer has sprung to the defence of United's No.7, insisting he does the work United ask of him.
"We talk about players who run a lot, he does as much as them. If people want to criticise his work ethic, that's completely wrong," continued the United boss.
"You see him running down the channels, which he has to do as a centre-forward.
"He does the work that we want him to do for the team. Of course, the team, when you have a player like him, you've got to get the best out of him, but he knows he's part of the jigsaw of that team and he's been brilliant."
Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.
