A long list of clubs have been monitoring Ronaldo’s situation in recent months, and many were preparing to make a bid for the striker. Carlos Queiroz, who had previously managed Portugal, South Africa and Sporting CP, was the new assistant manager at Old Trafford. Queiroz told incoming boss Alex Ferguson to keep an eye on the situation.
Conte’s first game in charge
After a 3-2 win over Tottenham, Antonio Conte heaped praise on Cristiano Ronaldo for his hat-trick. Conte lauded the player’s “legendary status” after the game but also criticised the collective performance of the Red Devils. But how will Conte handle this? Here are some key talking points.
First, we must look at the situation of the team. Is Conte’s first game as Man Utd dragging on the Ronaldo crisis? The answer is yes. United’s attack scored 122 goals before the snitch and virus arrived. Since then, the attacking team has dropped by more than half, and it’s no wonder that Conte is eager to stamp his authority on the club.
First, Conte must work on the defence. The team’s inability to break down deep teams has a negative impact on the overall performance. Tottenham Hotspur have upcoming games against West Ham United, Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion. The Spurs defenders defended well and didn’t allow space to the creative players in the final third.
Solskjaer’s first game in charge
Despite the absence of the Portuguese talisman, Solskjaer’s first game as Man Utd manager carried on the saga of the Ronaldo crisis, as his side lost to Leicester City at the King Power Stadium in what was perhaps their worst performance of the season. United’s 1-0 loss to Leicester was their worst defeat since January 2020, and they lost for the first time in that period.
In his first game as Manchester United manager, Solskjaer did not make the same mistakes as his predecessor Jose Mourinho. Solskjaer changed the nutrition of his team, with a focus on the health and nutrition of his players. Before taking charge of Man Utd, players would buy food from the club cafe, but Solskjaer commissioned a chef from Molde – a member of the country’s Olympic skating team – to supply all the players with their meals. In addition, Solskjaer also flew over a consultant from echipă to set up the team’s video-analysis software. Lastly, Solskjaer adopted Ferguson’s practice of inviting the opposing manager for a drink after a match.
If the crisis is really about Ronaldo’s fitness, Solskjaer’s first game as Man Utd manager is unlikely to change it. Solskjaer has made a few changes to the squad but they have failed to improve the club’s performance. Solskjaer has also been criticised on social media. Some fans labelled him as a PE teacher while others have accused him of wasting time by being a “coach’s assistant”.
Ronaldo’s first goal
Cristiano Ronaldo’s first goal drags on a little as Manchester United continue to make progress under their new manager. The Portuguese striker is playing well and looks to score after a through-ball from Mata. Matic’s run ends with a tame back pass to De Gea, who clumps it out under pressure. After Mata’s run, Ronaldo cuts infield dangerously but is thwarted by David Raya, who catches it.
Despite the protests against the Glazer family, the game still had a positive outcome. Manchester United beat Brentford 3-0 despite being 17 minutes late to the game. The victory was also greeted by fans’ frustrations over the Glazer family’s ownership of the club. Despite the win, United fans were threatening a mass walkout. After the game, there were a few talking points surrounding the performance and the goals.
Firstly, Ronaldo’s first goal dragged on Man Utd’s talk points. Although the team were outplayed in every department except one, Ronaldo’s goal was a landmark moment for the club. The Portuguese striker’s first goal dragged on Man Utd’s talk points until the second half, when it finally clicked into place.
Rashford’s first start
Marcus Rashford has had a difficult season for Manchester United, scoring just five goals in 32 Premier League appearances. The England international has since lost his place in the national squad and has not played for his country since the Euro 2020 final. Despite his recent resurgence, Rashford was on the fringes of the first team last season and was dropped by manager Gareth Southgate. Rashford will now be eager to impress the new coach and make his first start.
Marcus Rashford’s first start under new Man Utd coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is likely to come against Liverpool. Both teams have a tough schedule ahead of them, and it is not clear who will start the two teams in the first league match. But Rashford is an exciting prospect who has the talent to shine under new management. While his consistency has been a concern in recent weeks, he’s still a top player and he has the potential to become a valuable asset for the club.
It’s been rumoured that the Manchester United coaching staff is keen to get Rashford back to his best. But Rashford is happy at Manchester United and would welcome a one-to-one session with the new coach. It’s important to note that Rashford’s contract is only until 2023. But despite his lack of game time, the new manager wants Rashford to be a first-team regular and boost his confidence.
Christian Eriksen’s first start under Solskjaer
If you’re a Manchester United fan, you’ll be concerned with Eriksen’s first start under the Norwegian. The Danish midfielder has not made an impression for the club since his move from Everton last summer. The Danish international scored just once and made only one assist in 11 appearances. Though Tottenham had expressed interest, the club backed out and Manchester United pounced on the player. Obviously, Cristiano has a point to prove, but it’s hard to see him playing in the Europa League against a team like Manchester United.
Eriksen has already verbally agreed to sign a three-year deal with Manchester United. The Norwegian defender has expressed his desire to play for the Red Devils and has signed a free transfer contract until 2025. The Danish international’s contract with Brentford expired last month, and Tottenham had also expressed interest in signing him. But his move to Manchester United is more important than his arrival. United have a lot of room to improve their midfield. Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba have both departed for free transfers. Furthermore, Christian Eriksen has not played for United since last summer’s European Championships due to cardiac arrest.
After Christian Eriksen’s first start under the Norwegian, Manchester United will be in a position to exert more pressure and try to outscore opponents. If Eriksen is a valuable player for United, he’ll be a valuable impact sub in the Premier League and UEFA Europa League games. Meanwhile, Eriksen will be away for the World Cup in November. Denmark have been drawn against France and Portugal, while Fernando Fernandes is with Portugal. Ultimately, it’s the player management that will determine how the club will perform next season.
Juan Mata’s first start under Solskjaer
When evaluating Juan Mata’s first start under Solksjaer, there are two main things to consider. He is a long-serving Liverpool player who signed from Chelsea in January 2014. While there’s no guarantee of starting XI status, Mata can certainly be guaranteed that role if he performs at his very best. However, that wasn’t the case against Chelsea. The Spaniard’s performance was so good, in fact, that he won the Player of the Month award for September. In total, Mata has made 16 appearances, including seven substitutes, and should now decide whether to stick around with the club or move on.
The move is likely to make Juan Mata a target for other clubs. Mata’s contract expires in June, but the club has not activated it yet. It’s unclear whether Mata will stay or leave the club, but he could still make a final few appearances in the league. The Spaniard has been out of the first team for more than two years, and his contract is up.
Anthony Martial’s first start under Solskjaer
It is hard not to be a tad disappointed at the prospect of Anthony Martial’s first Man United start under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The Frenchman has been at the club for six-and-a-half years and has exhibited inconsistent form and lacklustre enthusiasm. The Portuguese has said that it takes courage and drive to shine at Manchester United, but Martial is still not a complete player.
The Frenchman has a plan to use Martial in a more forward role. He wants him to make runs in behind and get more chances to score goals. Despite his lack of pace and mobility off the ball, Martial has managed to score more goals than either Marcus Rashford or Bruno Fernandes in his last two starts.
The Frenchman is a personable manager and has forged good relationships with the team. His friendships with Roy Keane and Alex Ferguson were strong, with the former being one of the few United players to remember his number even after he left the club. Solskjaer has also been a frequent request for input from former players. He recently secured a character reference from former teammate Bruno Fernandes to help his new recruits fit in at Man Utd.
