Burnley winger Aaron Lennon has described Cristiano Ronaldo as "probably the greatest" player of all-time ahead of Manchester United's visit to Turf Moor this evening.
United, who recently beat Burnley 3-1 at Old Trafford sandwiched in between Christmas and New Year, will be looking to get back to winning ways following Friday evening's shock FA Cup fourth-round defeat at the hands of Middlesbrough.
However, the Reds, certainly in the Premier League, will arrive at Turf Moor with form in their sails following back-to-back wins over both Brentford and West Ham United prior to the recent winter break.
United have improved in recent weeks and have delivered much more assured and accomplished performances in comparison to the one they produced against Burnley at the end of 2021, despite running out 3-1 winners on that occasion.
Both Ronaldo and Lennon got themselves a goal that night, more than ten years after previously facing each other in the Premier League during their younger days. The former Tottenham man enjoyed going up against the United ace once again and holds him in very high regard.
Lennon told The Times : "We were both joking about the fact that we're still playing against each other after all these years.
"He thought I was older than him, so we were having a laugh about that. He said, 'How old are you now?' I told him I was only 34 and he said, 'What?!’ I said, 'I know, I've been in the game a long time, mate'.
"I have played against him a few times before. We both used to play on the wings as well so we would always cross paths and have a good chat.
"He’s a phenomenon. He's probably the greatest. I have so much respect for him. He is an inspiration for me."
Since scoring his 14th goal of the season against Burnley, Ronaldo has fired blanks in each of his last four matches in all competitions. He had the opportunity to end his drought against Middlesbrough but dragged his first half penalty wide of the target.
Ralf Rangnick will be desperate to see him arrest his current struggles at Turf Moor this evening as United go in search of a third successive league win for the third time this season.
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