On this day: March 19, 2008. Cristiano Ronaldo breaks George Best's scoring record at Manchester United

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Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring the goal against Bolton - on March 19, 2008 - that took him past George Best's record tally of 32 in a season. Getty

Cristiano Ronaldo leads out Manchester United as he captains the team for the first time. Getty

Cristiano Ronaldo smashes home his stunning free-kick against Bolton. Getty

Left to right: John O'Shea, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Nani and Nemanja Vidic celebrate after Portuguese's second goal at Old Trafford. Getty

Cristiano Ronaldo battles for possession with Ricardo Gardner of Bolton. Getty

Cristiano Ronaldo during the match at Old Trafford. Getty

Cristiano Ronaldo takes on Matt Taylor, left, and Gavin McCann of Bolton. Getty

Cristiano Ronaldo on the attack against Bolton. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates his first goal against Bolton. AFP

Manchester United winger George Best, right, in action against Chelsea in 1968. Getty

George Best is challenged by Chelsea's Ron Harris in 1971. Getty

George Best celebrates scoring for United in their FA Cup fifth round tie against Northampton in 1970. Getty

United's George Best attempts a header during their match against Arsenal at Highbury in 1970. Getty

It was a memorable day in a remarkable season for Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United.

On paper, scoring both goals in a 2-0 Premier League win over Bolton Wanderers at Old Trafford might not seem particularly stunning for the Portuguese winger who won the Fifa Club World Cup, Uefa Champions League, three Premier Leagues, an FA Cup and two League Cups during his time at the club.

But, on the day he was named United captain by Alex Ferguson for the first time – in the absence of regular leaders Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, and Rio Ferdinand – Ronaldo managed to relegate 'El Beatle' from the top of the Red Devils' scoring charts.

Fellow winger George Best's tally of 32 goals in the 1967/68 season had stood proudly for four decades as the most goals scored by a United midfielder. It was a figure many thought would never be beaten and one that only a very special player could overhaul.

His first on the night came after just nine minutes when he buried a lose ball past Bolton goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi.

The second would follow soon after when Ronaldo sent a sweet, swerving 30-yard free-kick flying past a helpless Al Habsi – Bolton manager Gary Megson described the finish as "a bit of genius" – that took him on to 33 goals ... with a couple of months still left in the season.

He had done it in 37 appearances – compared to the Northern Irishman's 52 – and with some now trademark panache, wearing the iconic United No 7 shirt also worn by the likes of Best, Eric Cantona and David Beckham.

"Scoring that many goals is fantastic," Ferguson said after the match. "It speaks volumes for the boy's ability. There's no one else in the game today who could do that. It's just amazing. He has the technique, but he practises those free-kicks a lot as we know. It's one thing getting them on target, but then can you score?"

United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz, who had played a key role in persuading Ferguson to splash out on signing Ronaldo for £12.24 million (Dh55m) from Sporting Lisbon in 2003, was equally full of praise for the player.

"Since the beginning of the season everyone had a feeling there was something special with Ronaldo's play," he said. "But most of us did not expect he could go so far. We hope that between now and the end he can score many more goals."

Ronaldo would finish the season with 42 goals, only four short of Denis Law's club record of 46 in 1963/64, his most prolific yet in football.

He would play only one more campaign in England before swapping United's red shirt for the white of Real Madrid in a world record move at the time, of £80 million.