Many believe that Manchester United are better off without Cristiano Ronaldo. His arrival coincided with a slump at Old Trafford, which he helped to remedy. While his ruthless attack has caused controversy, his presence has also changed the culture of the club. If Manchester United are a better team without him, would the era of Ronaldo’s arrival be any less fruitful?
Ronaldo’s arrival at Manchester United coincided with a slump at Old Trafford
The Portuguese superstar has been unable to live up to the high expectations placed on him after his arrival at Old Trafford last summer. Last season’s second place finish, however, suggests that the Red Devils were not yet ready to challenge for the title. The arrival of Ronaldo only increased expectations and, along with a poor run of form, a team-wide slump. Ronaldo is reportedly keen to leave Old Trafford this summer, but that could mean a quick rebuilding programme for the club.
Since his arrival at Manchester United, the Red Devils have suffered a decline in form and the club have not won the Premier League or the Champions League since former manager Alex Ferguson’s departure. Ronaldo’s arrival at Old Trafford coincided with a slump at the club. However, there are positive signs for the club and their supporters. Despite his slump, the club’s fans are celebrating his return to Old Trafford.
The Portuguese’s delay in making his intentions clear to Manchester United has prevented them from competing for established forwards in the summer transfer window. The club could have thwarted the move of Everton’s Richarlison or the arrival of Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus. The Red Devils could also have thwarted Liverpool’s move for Darwin Nunez or beaten Barcelona to the signing of Robert Lewandowski. But, by signing a player who is a good fit for the team, the Red Devils have managed to avoid such last-minute deals.
Despite his age, the Portuguese legend scored 118 goals in six seasons at Old Trafford before leaving for Real Madrid in 2009. The club tried to rebuild the club around Ronaldo and had to sign a new striker as he could not fit in the Manchester United system. He also made Edinson Cavani’s playing time at United a great deal more limited after joining the club. The Uruguayan’s final season at United was his last at Old Trafford and scored only two goals. That was 15 fewer goals than the previous season.
Despite the slump at Old Trafford, Ronaldo has been an excellent addition for Manchester United. After leaving Sporting Lisbon, he has scored a whopping 120 goals in the Premier League. Manchester United made life difficult for themselves and had to earn three points in a tense game. Although he scored twice in 90 minutes, Javier Manquillo levelled the score at the end of the game, while Bruno Fernandes sealed the points with a long-range effort and Jesse Lingard completed the scoring in stoppage time.
Ronaldo’s presence changed the club’s culture
It’s easy to see why the return of Cristiano Ronaldo changed the Manchester United culture. The sex of the player is a major source of controversy, but the fact is that the Portuguese has won more European Cups than any other player. Ronaldo’s charismatic personality has inspired loyal United fans to react with fury when an allegation of rape is made against him. Fans at Old Trafford were so moved by the allegations that a feminist group flew a plane over the stadium to urge fans to believe Kathryn Mayorga, the accuser. However, prosecutors in Nevada have said that the player will not face any charges.
Despite his superstardom, he continues to make a huge impact on the club. The Portuguese star has more than 100 million Instagram followers. He’s currently the most popular soccer player in the world. Many Manchester United fans believe that Ronaldo has changed the club’s culture, and it’s hard to disagree. The Portuguese international was instrumental in taking Portugal to Euro 2016 in France and their first UEFA Nations League title in 2019.
In addition to the impact of Ronaldo’s arrival, Ronaldo’s presence has also had an impact on shirt sales. United’s current Adidas contract is already one of the richest in the world, so his impact is likely to help the club’s broader commercial operations. United could make an additional PS30m in commercial arrangements within the next two years. Considering Ronaldo’s popularity, these figures should be considered to be conservative.
There are several reasons why Sir Alex Ferguson has expected Ronaldo to succeed at Manchester. First, he is the ultimate trophy signing. And secondly, he is unlikely to galvanise a title challenge unless he’s given the chance to play in the Champions League. If this is the case, he is the ultimate trophy. Moreover, he’ll be a player whose presence changes the culture at Manchester United.
If Manchester United are able to keep Ronaldo at the club, then they will be able to continue with their rebuilding efforts. If not, the situation could have reached a climax earlier. A move to the Champions League would also help them qualify for the 2023-24 Champions League. The transfer would accelerate Ten Hag’s rebuilding plans. However, it’s also likely that allowing Ronaldo to leave would help speed up the rebuilding process.
Ronaldo’s ruthless nature in attack has been criticised at Manchester United
Some have questioned whether United should sell Ronaldo to Juventus or not, as he was a highly-rated player and a key player for the club. The Portuguese has been critical of United’s management for the past few seasons, and this week’s absence from training is a further sign that he is not a fit for the club. Ronaldo’s ruthlessness in attack is an area where United need a change and he can bring that about.
This style of play is hardly going to change for the foreseeable future, and it is not likely that Ronaldo will change his tactics any time soon. The former Real Madrid player was filmed zooming in on Ronaldo’s leg, which prompted a reaction a footballer director described as a “terrible temper”. It seems unlikely, however, that Ronaldo would have changed his style of play just to please the fans. The way in which he plays, known as ‘gegenpressing’, requires players to burst a lung for their team-mates.
Some pundits have suggested that Solskjaer should have sold Ronaldo at an early age and used his experience to train other players to cover his deficiencies. It seems that Ralf Rangnick and his staff are trying to bring the best out of Cristiano Ronaldo, despite the criticism. The team’s Premier League campaign has been troubled, and this hasn’t helped the Portuguese’s mood.
It is interesting that Sir Alex Ferguson and Julian Nagelsmann look up to Zidane and Julian Nagelsmann in the past, and this may have affected his ruthless nature in attack. Both managers are keen on making the Portuguese’s game more versatile. While this is the case, he remains a key player in the United team. He has single-handedly taken the club into the Champions League knockout stages.
However, this season’s poor performances have given some fans an idea about whether he would stay at the club if United don’t win the Champions League. Despite the criticism, there are few clubs that can offer him a lucrative contract at the end of the season, and his future is a matter of his own. But the future is still open for debate and the Portuguese will likely make the decision soon.
Ronaldo’s absence has made Manchester United stronger
It’s not just the fact that Ronaldo is leaving Manchester United that has strengthened the club’s position in the transfer market. In the first place, his absence has prevented United from competing for the services of proven forwards. Richarlison and Gabriel Jesus have departed for Spurs and Arsenal, respectively. The presence of Ronaldo would have also prevented United from thwarting Liverpool’s move for Darwin Nunez and trying to beat Barcelona to the signing of Robert Lewandowski. Likewise, it’s unclear what exactly Ronaldo’s replacement might be, if any. In addition, the lack of Ronaldo has caused some tensions in the squad, which is not a good thing.
In addition to the speculations that have surrounded Ronaldo’s future, he has also been conspicuously absent from Manchester United’s pre-season training. While United’s pre-season tour starts this week with a match against Liverpool in Bangkok, the club’s manager Erik ten Hag is relaxed about the situation. The club’s current situation is difficult enough, without the distraction of a world-class player causing so many problems.
While Ronaldo has made a huge difference for Manchester United, his absence has left the team weaker and without the clutch factor. The team struggled to keep pace with the leaders before Ronaldo’s arrival. However, United were able to bounce back with a win against Bolton, and then went on an 18-match unbeaten run. Ronaldo has also proved to be a clutch factor. In the Champions League final against Chelsea, he scored an incredible 40-yard goal. This was vital in getting United to the final.
The Portuguese star’s transfer request has put United on the back foot in terms of signing a replacement. United have already struggled in the transfer market this summer, and no new signings have been made before the squad returns to training. While Ronaldo’s absence has put them on the back foot in terms of acquiring a replacement, the club’s lack of spending on transfer fees has strengthened the squad and will make them a stronger side.
