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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Blow

Man Utd end 389-day wait as Cristiano Ronaldo breaks unusual Premier League record

Manchester United ended their 389-day wait for a Premier League goal from a corner on Sunday, as Harry Maguire nodded in against Leeds at Elland Road.

The last time United converted from a corner was on January 27, when Maguire equalised against his former club Sheffield United in a 2-1 home defeat.

Much has happened since that fateful day in Manchester - including Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's exit, Cristiano Ronaldo's return and Liverpool's 5-0 victory at Old Trafford.

Speaking of Ronaldo, the Portuguese icon made his first Premier League outing against Leeds since October 18, 2003 - 18 years and 125 days ago.

No player in the competition's history has waited longer to make his next appearance against a specific club. It's proof of Ronaldo's incredible longevity at the top.

Can Manchester United finish in the top four this season? Let us know in the comments below!

Harry Maguire scored Manchester United's first goal from a Premier League corner in 13 months (Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Maguire's opening goal against Leeds came from United's 139th Premier League corner of the season. Only four teams have been awarded more corners this term.

When asked about United's shocking record from corners earlier this month, interim manager Ralf Rangnick said: "This is really a little bit weird.

"In the end, this is a question of training time, but is also a question of deliveries. We have players who should be technically able to deliver the balls in the right way.

"We still need to improve in those areas [and] be more dangerous and effective from set-pieces.

"It's a question of training but it's also a question of quality of deliveries - even more so when it's free-kicks from the side or corner kicks."

Ronaldo, meanwhile, has now made 925 club appearances since turning professional and will be aiming to reach 1,000 games before his illustrious career draws to an end.

The United legend has scored a remarkable 689 club goals - one fewer than long-term rival and Paris Saint-Germain forward Lionel Messi.

Both players will be hoping to reach 700 before the end of the season. Ronaldo also needs just seven goals to become the latest member of the Premier League's 100 club.

Cristiano Ronaldo made history against Leeds on Sunday afternoon (Getty Images)

Speaking about his longevity earlier this year, Ronaldo said: "Genetically I feel like I'm 30 years old. I take great care of my body and my mind.

"Something I've learned recently is that after 33, I believe the body can deliver if you need it, but the real battle is mental.

"Going through many things with the focus on the end goal of staying at a high level is the hardest thing, and that's what I've been doing for the last few years.

"I've been working and focusing more on working on my mind. I know my body will handle me because I have a lot of respect for it and I listen to it a lot.

"I want to find out if I'm going to play until I'm 40, 41, or 42, but the most important thing is that my daily goal is to enjoy the moment."

United went on to beat Leeds 4-2 after goals from Bruno Fernandes, Fred, Anthony Elanga and - as previously mentioned - Maguire.

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