Why Cristiano Ronaldo should avoid moving to Manchester United
Just like Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo is a household name. Arguably, he is one of the greatest footballers that has ever lived, and he is adored by fans all over the globe. However, few admire the Portuguese superstar as much as Manchester United fans. He spent five glorious years in England’s biggest football club, leaving the club for Spanish giants, Real Madrid in the summer of 2009, where he continued his rich vein of form.
It seems like since the day he left Old Trafford there have been reports in the media suggesting he will be returning to his former club. The Portuguese captain added fuel to the fire on many occasions by claiming a move to Manchester United is not off the cards, and he will never rule out the possibility of returning to his former side. Odds on a host of clubs being touted as Ronaldo's next possible destination are available at most online betting sites, such as online kaszinók for example. His old teammate, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, is currently the manager of the Red Devils, and he speaks very highly of Ronaldo, so it is not surprising why many people feel he could make a sensational return, but is it a good idea?
The Cost
The reason why Juventus signed Ronaldo was to help the Italian side win the Champions League. Unfortunately for him and the club, they were unable to win the world’s biggest club competition, and in the 2020/2021 season, they were lucky to finish in the top four of their domestic league. It looks like his time in Turin is coming to an end.
Juventus purchased Ronaldo for almost $130 million, and on top of that they had to pay his lucrative wage package which is a lot higher than any of his teammates are getting. Although the fee to bring him back to Old Trafford is expected to be a fraction of what Juventus paid Real Madrid, his wage demands could cause an issue with the current United squad.
However, Manchester United has over thirty-six major sponsorships. They are well aware that Ronaldo can help them sell their products, so it wouldn’t be surprising if one of their current sponsors helps pay his wages.
Would signing Ronaldo cause problems with the younger players?
Manchester United’s greatest managers of all time, Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson put a lot of their faith in young players, and the current manager is trying to follow in their footsteps. Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer players like Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford have looked world-class, and many fear that if Ronaldo was to sign, players like these two won’t get enough game time. With Edison Cavani playing through the middle, it's hard to see where Ronaldo would fit in. The English Premier League is one of the toughest leagues in the world, and young players need a lot of game time to adapt. Many fear that Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford would cause problems with the younger players' progression at the club.
However, United's most successful sides always had a good balance of young and older players. When players like David Beckham, Gary Neville, and Nicky Butt were coming through the ranks, they had experienced players like Gary Pallister, Steve Bruce, and Eric Cantona to educate them on what it means to play for Manchester United. Ronaldo, who understands the club’s DNA and expectations could help bring the younger players to the next level. Ronaldo sets high standards for himself and his teammates, so signing him could prove beneficial to the younger players in the squad.
Is he too old?
Ronaldo still looks incredibly fit, even at the age of 36. He has been very lucky throughout his long career because he has avoided serious injuries. He doesn't drink alcohol, and he maintains a healthy diet and physique. However, very few players can play at the top level when they are in their late thirties. It is believed that players are in their prime from 27 to 30 years old, meaning he is way past his prime.
However, in recent years Ronaldo has changed his position from playing as a winger to a more central position. In this forward area, he doesn’t have to rely on his pace to go up and down the pitch. He doesn’t have to run half as much as he used to, and because of his experience and talent, his positioning is incredible. Like most natural goal scorers, he can predict where the ball is going to arrive from. His movement, strength, and understanding of the game are still amazing, even at 36 years old.
But do Manchester United want to risk a lot of money on a player that will have very little resale value in the future? By investing in a younger player, they will have the option of making money on a new signing down the line, but if Ronaldo was to move to Old Trafford, surely this will be his last club as a player. Even a move to Old Trafford wasn’t his last club, it's hard to imagine a team buying a player for a lot of money who is almost 40 years old.
Will signing Ronaldo add extra pressure on the United boss?
Anyone who has ever taken the manager's job at Old Trafford is under pressure from day one. The expectations of the club are huge, and the media and fans seem to get on the manager's back as soon as things don’t go their way. Some of the greatest managers in modern football have struggled to successfully manage the club, and many people fear that if Ronaldo was to sign for United and wasn’t a success, then people will point the finger at Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, not Ronaldo.
Just because United has been improving under the Norwegian over the last couple of seasons, doesn’t mean that the pressure has lifted off his shoulders. If United were unable to challenge for the Premier League or the Champions League with Ronaldo on their side, many believe the manager will lose his job. With or without Ronaldo in the current squad, there will be pressure on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and he could quickly become a favorite in the next manager to get sacked in the betting markets at sites like élő kaszinó. There will be very few excuses if one of the world’s best players is unable to win major trophies under him.