Cristiano Ronaldo made a return to Manchester United in 2021 but a positive start soon soured before joining Al-Nassr three years ago
Cristiano Ronaldo during the UEFA Europa League group E match between Manchester United and Omonia Nikosia.
Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United under a cloud following his second stint(Image: James Gill/Getty Images)
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Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Manchester United in the summer of 2021 was a mixed bag, with his sensational comeback initially hailed by fellow players as transformative before it ended on a sour note.
Ronaldo first joined United back in 2003 and, now aged 40, he used his initial spell at Old Trafford to establish himself as one of football's most extraordinary talents.
Scoring over a hundred goals for the Red Devils, Ronaldo played a key role in securing three Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2008 for United. He then moved on to Real Madrid the following year, where he enjoyed an equally successful period, before a three-year stint at Juventus.
Just over three years ago, Ronaldo signed for Saudi Pro League team Al Nassr, having left United for a second time in November 2022 after a controversial interview with Piers Morgan. In the interview, he criticised the state of the club and his treatment under former United manager Erik ten Hag.
During Ronaldo's first season back at United under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, his impact was clearly felt within the club. Former United goalkeeper Lee Grant even mentioned how players were discussing the positive changes Ronaldo had brought about.
Grant revealed to talkSPORT in 2021: "To give you one instance of the impact he is having on the group, this was Friday night in the hotel. So, as you guys will be aware, you finish your dinner and usually on a Friday night you've got some cheat stuff out. You've got some apple crumble and custard or you've got a bit of brownie and cream.
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 03: Lisandro Martinez, Christian Eriksen, Cristiano Ronaldo, Alejandro Garnacho, Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof line up ahead of the UEFA Europa League group E match between Real Sociedad and Manchester United at Reale Arena on November 03, 2022 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Ronaldo endured a tricky time upon returning to Old Trafford(Image: 2022 Manchester United FC)
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"I tell you now, not one player touched the apple crumble and custard, not one player went up for that brownie because everybody was sat down. One of the lads said to me, 'What has Cristiano got on his plate?' Obviously, it is the cleanest, most healthy plate you can imagine."
Former United coach Michael Carrick was amongst Solskjaer's backroom staff when the Portuguese icon returned to Old Trafford. During an appearance on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Carrick reflected on the extraordinary moment of seeing Ronaldo back at Carrington and the electric atmosphere his arrival generated throughout the club.
"Yeah, he was good," Carrick responded when Ferdinand asked about Ronaldo's return. "I mean, there was a hell of a buzz around the place when he came back. It was an incredible kind of feeling around those games, and then him coming back. And just seeing him back around the building was weird."
Yet Solskjaer's tenure ended abruptly in November 2021, with United opting to appoint Ralf Rangnick as his successor. Ronaldo grew progressively frustrated with the situation unfolding at Old Trafford, concerns he later voiced during his controversial sit-down with Morgan.
Ronaldo looks through the door
Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr three years ago after being exiled at United(Image: INPHO/Ryan Byrne)
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"I don't know what's going on but since Sir Alex Ferguson left [in 2013], I saw no evolution in the club. The progress was zero," Ronaldo told Morgan.
Perhaps the most striking moment that effectively confirmed Ronaldo's departure came during United's 2-0 victory against Tottenham in October 2022, when the Portuguese forward marched off down the tunnel ahead of the final whistle.
When United centre-back Lisandro Martinez was pressed for his thoughts on Ronaldo's petulant behaviour and premature departure, his response was telling. "I didn't see anything," the defender explained, before adding: "I don't know. I only enjoy with the people, we won, and that's important."
From his triumphant return as a club legend to departing amid controversy, Martinez's comments - suggesting the squad were too engrossed in their victory celebrations to register Ronaldo's absence - perfectly encapsulated the acrimonious conclusion to the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's spell at United.