The question is always, which trophy should I take home — the Manchester United one or the Real Madrid one, and which trophy should I give away? Let’s look at the record of both teams against each other in recent years and the form of Cristiano Ronaldo. Is United’s current formation better than Real Madrid’s? And will United’s ‘new’ formation beat the ‘old’ one?
Ronaldo’s future at United
Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Manchester United has been in doubt since reports emerged that he will not be staying at the club after the new season. A report in La Republicca said that the Portuguese star may not be staying at the club after all, because new manager Johan Ten Hag will make major changes to the playing style. The Dutchman also plans to change the team’s structure to suit his playing style.
Last summer, a possible return to Real Madrid was mooted, but Real Madrid turned it down. In the interim, it appeared that Manchester United were the best option for Ronaldo, with his first spell at Old Trafford falling short of expectations. However, it is worth remembering that the Red Devils are currently in the Champions League and are only a point away from the Europa League. Ronaldo has scored 23 Premier League goals in his two spells at Old Trafford.
If Ronaldo leaves Man United this summer, the club could try to sign a replacement. The Spanish giants were keen on signing Kylian Mbappe and are aggressively searching for an attacking player to replace the Portuguese. It is possible that Ronaldo is only a temporary fix, though, as his presence would potentially disrupt the form of Karim Benzema. And if he does leave Man United, the club could be in for some serious trouble in the future.
Los Blancos’ recent record against Atletico Madrid
Until now, the recent record of Real Madrid against Atletico Madrid has not been good. The last time Los Blancos were beaten by Atletico was in the 2015/16 season, when Real lost 2-1. But a penalty from Yannick Carrasco was enough to secure a deserved victory for Atletico at the Wanda Metropolitano. However, the Spanish champions are no longer on a barren run and they are now three points behind Barcelona in the La Liga table.
The defending champions of La Liga are unbeaten away from home since the turn of the year, with just one defeat in the last 15 meetings between the two teams. However, a win in the current derby would be an incredible achievement for Real, as the recent run of derbies by the team has been exemplary under Carlo Ancelotti. Despite this excellent recent run, there are still some worrying signs of the future for the Madrid side.
Manchester United’s 4-4-2 formation
The first question to ask is whether Manchester United should stick with their current 4-4-2 formation or switch to a different one entirely. The new formation has proven to be extremely effective in recent matches, with the Red Devils winning all four of them. The formation was used against Roma in the Champions League last year, when Manchester United started with a 4-3-3 midfield and three forwards, including Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Park Ji-Sung. The formation is similar to that used by Barcelona, who generally play with a 4-3-3, with two wingers withdrawing from the central striker. In that formation, Xavi Hernandez and Robson are usually in advance of two defensive midfielders.
Although the Real Madrid 4-3-3 formation is similar to that of Manchester United, it’s often a case of what suits the opposition better. Having said that, a 4-3-3 formation is a more traditional one than the 4-4-2. However, Manchester United may opt to play with a 4-3-3 formation, with Rodrygo playing in the deepest role. This is a strategy that can be a great fit for Real’s attack.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s form against Atletico Madrid
During the current season, Cristiano Ronaldo has not scored a single goal against Atletico Madrid. He did however play the full 90 minutes in two previous meetings, both of which ended in draws. The Portuguese international is a key player for Real Madrid and they need to avoid his presence in the last-16 match to reach the quarter-finals. Nevertheless, his form against Atletico is not to be ignored, though.
Although Ronaldo has had a poor start to the season at Manchester United, he still loves playing on the big stage. His six goals in five Champions League matches for United are a testament to his ability. Atletico Madrid are a tough team to beat, but Ronaldo has a track record of being devastating against them. During his time at Real Madrid, he has scored 25 goals and assisted nine goals. In addition to this, he scored the winning penalty in the 2014 Champions League final.
Atletico Madrid are no strangers to Cristiano Ronaldo’s incredible record against Manchester United. The Portuguese has played against Atletico Madrid in 35 games and has scored 25 goals. He has also scored 27 goals against Sevilla. Unlike Real Madrid, Ronaldo’s form against Atletico is consistent and he has always won the knockout phase. Cristiano Ronaldo’s form against Atletico Madrid is not to be underestimated, though.
Diego Costa’s injury
Atletico Madrid winger Diego Costa may miss the Uefa Champions League final with a hamstring injury. The striker has suffered from a hamstring problem for several weeks. The injury was initially thought to be a muscular problem but later proved to be a hamstring ailment. However, in a rare move, Atletico Madrid sent Costa to the clinic of Dr Marijana Kovacevic, a Serbian doctor who specializes in treating athletes. Using fluid extracted from a horse’s placenta, she has treated several players, including Frank Lampard and Robin van Persie.
After the operation, Diego Costa will be out for three months. Despite the long recovery time, he is unlikely to return to action for two or three weeks. Jose Mourinho has seven weeks left in the season. In his absence, Chelsea will miss Manchester United and Arsenal’s next two matches. The Spaniard may even have to undergo surgery in the coming weeks. After the procedure, he will be able to return to playing after another month.
Marco Asensio
With Marco Asensio entering his final year of his contract, speculation over his future has risen. After joining Real Madrid from Espanyol in 2016, the midfielder has already made an impact in the Spanish capital. However, he suffered an injury in 2016 and only recently returned to form. This season, however, he has been a key figure in the Real Madrid side. He has also been linked with a move to AC Milan.
While he has a contract expiring in 2023, Manchester United are keen on bringing him to Old Trafford. While Real Madrid have shown an interest in Asensio, Manchester United have not yet made a formal move. While Asensio is rated by Los Blancos at around EUR50m, United are interested in acquiring a ‘universal’ midfielder who can play on either wing. Asensio’s versatility would be a boon for Erik ten Hag, who is looking for a replacement for the injured Paul Pogba.
The summer transfer window offers Manchester United and Real Madrid the opportunity to snatch up one of the world’s most promising young players. Although Asensio is out of contract at Real Madrid next year, the Spanish giants remain nervous about his long-term future. However, Manchester United are keen to make a move for the Brazilian, who played a key role in the club’s recent La Liga and Champions League triumphs, scoring 12 goals and providing two assists. In a bid to sign the best player in the world, Jose Mourinho has expressed interest in the defender and is expected to dip into the wide-attacker market in the summer.
Gary Medel’s yellow card
Despite being a centre-back for Cardiff City and a defensive midfielder for Chile’s national team, Gary Medel has been dubbed a ‘Pitbull’ by his fans. He is not named after the legendary footballer Gary Lineker, but he does enjoy learning about the history of English football. As such, he is aware that Lineker has never been shown a yellow card. Nonetheless, he has been called crazy, which he claims is the cause of the controversy.
Medel’s red card at Sevilla last season came after a reckless push on JosAi?? Alberto CaAi?? in the 55th minute. He has now received seven red cards since joining Sevilla and has scored just one goal in 89 appearances. Despite this red card, Sevilla managed to hold on to their lead until the 90th minute, when Betis equalised.
Victor Lindelof’s status at United
Victor Lindelof is a Swedish international who has been a mainstay in Manchester United’s defence for the past few seasons. The defender was recently linked with Real Madrid after they signed French striker Raphael Varane from Juventus. The Frenchman won three La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies during his time at the Spanish giants. However, the defender’s future remains unsure as he is currently on a World Cup training camp with Manchester United.
After being the first summer signing by Manchester United, Lindelof will take time to settle into his new surroundings. His UEFA Super Cup game against Real Madrid was a stern test for the Swedish international. He showed mixed performances and appeared lost at times. He should have been tucked in a bit closer to Casemiro when Madrid opened the scoring, but instead he looked lost and sluggish.
Is Real Madrid really releasing Cristiano Ronaldo? This is the most common question asked by fans and pundits alike. The answer depends on who you believe, namely Florentino Perez or Neymar. We will examine the release clause and the reaction of the Madrid president. We’ll also discuss the transfer policy of the club in the past few years. But how do we know for sure that Real Madrid is really releasing Ronaldo?
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez
Florentino Perez, the president of Real Madrid, has recently come under fire for a number of slurs aimed at his former players. In an audio recording leaked to the public, the Real Madrid president called former players Raul and Iker Casillas «the biggest frauds in football.» Perez also called Ronaldo an idiot and a «sick man.» Those comments were aimed at the club’s superstar, who left in 2018 as the club’s all-time leading scorer.
Perez defended his decision, saying that the issue is «in the hands of lawyers». However, the quotes were from conversations recorded secretly by former Real Madrid president Jose Antonio Abellan, who was involved in Pepe’s 2007 transfer to Los Blancos. Until now, Perez and his team have failed to sell the recordings. If you read the entire transcript, it would reveal that the quotes were a result of the audio leak.
It is unclear why Perez has released Ronaldo from the club, but he has been a fixture at the club for many years. Ronaldo joined Real Madrid from Manchester United in 2009 and stayed until 2018, when he signed a contract with Juventus. He won four trophies while at Real Madrid, including the LaLiga title, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League. Perez has also criticised the relationship between Ronaldo and Jorge Mendes.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s release clause
Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo have lowered the forward’s EUR1billion release clause to EUR120million, a huge reduction from the original figure of EUR1billion. The former Juventus forward was a target for Barcelona and other top European clubs, but Real Madrid agreed to lower the clause after the two sides reached a deal. Ronaldo’s release clause would have prevented him from joining either La Liga or Paris Saint-Germain, so it appears that the Premier League is Cristiano Ronaldo’s ultimate destination.
Juventus aren’t taking chances on Ronaldo’s future, as the club has failed to sign a new contract for the rest of the season. Juventus have yet to receive any formal bids for Ronaldo, and Juventus have yet to see any offer in principle. Meanwhile, Real Madrid are also keen to sign him, with Zinedine Zidane leaving the door open for the forward to leave. It’s unlikely that Cristiano Ronaldo will leave Juventus before the deadline, but the saga will continue to dominate headlines until the end of the season.
Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and AS Monaco are among the clubs interested in signing Ronaldo, but the Portuguese star has a release clause of EUR1 billion, meaning he’ll need to leave Juventus to sign a new contract. The Portuguese striker is worth around EUR31 million per season after taxes. If he were to leave the club, he would smash Paul Pogba’s PS80 million transfer record, which has since been surpassed.
Real Madrid’s gratitude to Ronaldo
The fans of Real Madrid have paid tribute to their great player, expressing gratitude towards his contribution to the club. Despite the booing he received during a La Liga match against Celta Vigo, Ronaldo has become the club’s all-time top scorer this season with 41 goals in as many games. This is a testament to his remarkable career, which has made legends and mythology of the club.
Aside from his remarkable goal tally, Cristiano Ronaldo also leaves an indelible mark on the club’s history. After nine years with Real Madrid, the Portuguese superstar decided to join Juventus after revealing his desire to join the Italian club. Ronaldo’s gratitude for the team is clear in a letter posted on the Real Madrid website. The letter was signed by the Portuguese star and will remain there until the end of the season.
A message from the agent of Cristiano Ronaldo to the Portuguese media said the club would always be grateful to him if he leaves the club. The news comes days after the former Manchester United forward hinted that he might leave the club after a Champions League final in May. Earlier, Ronaldo had said he would discuss his future with his team-mates during the World Cup, a month before Portugal’s elimination by Uruguay.
Real Madrid’s transfer policy in recent years
Known as the ‘Galacticos’, Florentino Perez has made it a priority to sign world-class players. The club has often paid top wages for their players and has also lent them out in recent years. This policy has been successful for Real Madrid. The biggest deal that Perez has completed is the controversial move of Luis Figo to Real Madrid from Barcelona. The club has invested heavily in these new recruits, but their value has come under scrutiny as their performance has dwindled.
The club has been extremely clever in their transfer policy in recent years, with the exception of Cristiano Ronaldo, who was signed for EUR80 million in January 2017. However, this money is not reflected in the team’s performance, with the exception of the signing of Rodrygo for EUR70 million, which translates into a EUR7 million annual salary. In addition, the club has consistently maintained a positive cash flow, allowing them to spend on player acquisitions.
Real Madrid’s transfer policy in recent years has included the signing of several players on free transfers. For example, Steve McManaman joined Real Madrid in 1999 on a free transfer. He quickly became popular with Madrid fans. A number of these players have subsequently joined Real Madrid and played in a variety of different positions. During the recent financial crisis, Real Madrid had to reduce their salaries to offset their reduced revenue in other areas. However, the fact that the club has achieved such a high level of success is testament to the club’s sound management.
Sami Khedira’s reunion with Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to Juventus after leaving Real Madrid for Manchester United. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner announced his departure from Real Madrid in a letter on his website. While his fans will point to his incredible goal-scoring record, detractors will say that Juventus have not improved under Ronaldo’s leadership. The former Bayern Munich striker will be reunited with Khedira, who acted as Ronaldo’s teammate at two different clubs.
Khedira’s reunion with Ronald is unlikely to happen until several months after the player’s return. The former Juventus striker was injured in a collision with Andrea Pirlo in November 2013, meaning he probably missed the World Cup. After recovering from the injury, he turned his attention to his rehabilitation. Khedira returned to light training in May, but he was still far from match fitness.
A shirtless football fan also tried to intrude on Khedira’s celebration. The player was then led off the pitch, after apologising profusely. The match lasted just six minutes before Khedira was replaced by Rodrigo Bentancur, a substitute who could not cope with the pressure. The game ended 2-1 to Juve. Juve’s next game is against relegation-threatened Frosinone on Friday. They will then concentrate on the Champions League and Atletico Madrid in the coming weeks.
Real Madrid’s lack of attacking options without Ronaldo
If you’ve followed Real Madrid’s season so far, you’ll know that they’ve had a poor start to the campaign. Their recent winless run has only exacerbated the issue. But it is hardly the fault of Cristiano Ronaldo alone. The Portuguese star is also Real Madrid’s all-time leading goalscorer, which is a problem in itself. Ronaldo’s absence, however, has resulted in a lack of support from the midfielders.
Real Madrid’s lack of attacking options isn’t necessarily a disaster. Benzema and Bale have both struggled without Ronaldo, and the lack of a fourth striker in the middle has made it difficult to win matches in the past few seasons. They have lacked the firepower to beat the likes of Bayern Munich and Juventus this season, but they’ve still scored plenty of goals in the process.
Real Madrid’s lack of attacking options is most evident on the left flank, where Marcelo and Sergio Ramos usually play. However, Carlo Ancelotti switched Angel di Maria to central midfield to provide more support for Ronaldo. Both have a pressing style and good positional awareness. In the absence of Ronaldo, Real Madrid are left without any options on the flank. With no options on the wings, they need to turn to their defensive strength.
However, the German coach has already said that Ronaldo is one of the best players in history. This is evident in his late penalty against Bayern Munich at Old Trafford last season. Cristiano Ronaldo’s continued clamour for a pay rise weakens the team’s position and platform. If this trend continues, Real Madrid will be forced to look elsewhere for an attacking midfielder.
