Cristiano Ronaldo scores for Al-Nassr from the penalty spot during the 2-1 defeat to Al-Qadsiah at Al-Awwal Park. (Photo by Fayez NURELDINE / AFP via Getty Images)placeholder image
Cristiano Ronaldo scores for Al-Nassr from the penalty spot during the 2-1 defeat to Al-Qadsiah at Al-Awwal Park. (Photo by Fayez NURELDINE / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
They couldn’t, could they? Man United are reported to be looking to pull off a transfer that would shock the footballing world.
The winter transfer window might have close, however, Jason Wilcox and his team will already be looking ahead to the summer with the hope that they can turn Man United into title contenders once again.
Michael Carrick is getting more out of the squad simply by playing players in their preferred positions which has, seemingly, persuaded, those above him that there is no need for further additions just yet. Injury to Patrick Dorgu aside, the United squad is almost at full health and the focus will now all be on qualifying for the Champions League and making the top four of the Premier League.
Man United in talks to sign Cristiano Ronaldo
Behind the scenes though, there is something that, according to Fichajes, is a cause for excitement and distraction in equal measure. The footballing world has, apparently, been “shaken” by murmurs that Manchester United and the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo, who is currently at Al-Nassr, could be reunited once again. Ronaldo is reportedly unhappy in Saudi Arabian football and, despite now being well past the veteran stage of his career, is dreaming of a return to top-flight, European football.
Having turned 40 this season and signed a new deal in the Middle East, the 226 times capped Portugal captain has a €50 million (£43m) release clause, a figure that several MLS clubs are looking to scrape together. However, it is Old Trafford where the former Real Madrid and Sporting Lisbon forward sees himself ending his long and illustrious career.
Manchester United, according to the report in Fichajes, believe the striker's exit second time around was a personal one and one that was driven out of a falling out with Erik ten Hag. With a change of manager, apparently, the hierarchy is “keen” to “regain the leadership and goalscoring prowess” of the five-times Ballon d’Or and five-times Champions League winner.
Should United make Ronaldo move?
The crux of the claim is that Ronaldo is willing to forego his astronomical deal with the Saudi Pro League to return to his roots and where he first rose to real prominence. A deal is being worked on and the numbers are being crunched over a possible blockbuster transfer that is based on sporting merit for Ronaldo, rather than financial gain. Key to the deal is that United are believe that Ronaldo’s “presence in the locker room will serve as a catalyst for a winning mentality among the young talents who now make up the first team squad”.
The claims seem far-fetched at best.
However, if they prove to be true, United need to let it go. Ronaldo is currently on strike in Saudi Arabia because he isn’t getting his own way. He might well wear the captain’s armband for club and country, but he isn’t the example that United need. His discipline in terms of physical conditioning is one that should be admired, but he doesn’t do this for any other reason than to continue fluffing his own ego with meaningless goals in a league that the vast majority of the footballing world doesn’t care about.
There is more than a hint of jealousy that Lionel Messi has gone to a more competitive league and continued to be as consistent and the Saudi revolution hasn’t quite materialised how Ronaldo imagined. There are some things that money can’t buy after all.
The United dressing room is a harmonious one once again, the last thing that they need is drama from an egomaniac who would rather score a hat-trick in a 4-3 loss than not score and his team win 3-0. Ronaldo might look good in a pair of swimming shorts, but the Premier League, in the winter, in Manchester, is no place for a 40-something forward who stopped working for his teammates a long time ago.
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