Cristiano Ronaldo’s Manchester United return has come to an end just 15 months after he came back to Old Trafford from Juventus for a bargain fee.
On the financial side United can have few complaints about Ronaldo’s return and under former managers Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick in his first season back he managed to end the season as one of the Premier League’s top scorers with 18 goals and he also managed to score six goals in the UEFA Champions League.
Ronaldo vs ten Hag
But this season under Erik ten Hag it has been a very different story. The Dutch coach made it clear ever since he walked through the door that the Portuguese icon was not going to be a key part of his plans. Ronaldo has found the net just once this Premier League season as he has had to deal with a bit-part role, with several short cameos off the bench. Ten Hag has often been reluctant to utilize the multiple Ballon d’Or winner even when United were struggling to score goals.
.@Cristiano's farewell message to @ManUtd pic.twitter.com/0KPsxny0To
Ronaldo will now focus on the FIFA World Cup with Portugal as they seek their first-ever success at the tournament, and there will never be a greater chance to be world champions than when Ronaldo is still on the side. Portugal are one of the favourites in the Betway World Cup odds as they are priced at +1400 to lift the trophy in December.
Ronaldo has a solid supporting cast at international level despite Diogo Jota’s injury in the attack. Gonçalo Ramos, who is one of a number of Primeira Liga talents starring at this year’s World Cup, offers a clinical natural centre-forward option, João Félix is an exciting versatile attacker, Rafael Leão provides raw pace and Ricardo Horta and André Silva round out a formidable array of attacking options to back up Ronaldo.
In midfield, the likes of Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes are the highlights but overall it is an area where the Seleção is fortunate enough to have an abundance of options. In defence Silva’s club teammates at Manchester City Rúben Dias and João Cancelo are extremely reliable and the ever dependable Pepe is also in the squad fresh off topping his UEFA Champions League group with Porto.
Free agent Ronaldo
Ronaldo took matters into his own hands prior to the World Cup in which he talked about many of the problems at the club, and United has now proceeded to terminate his contract shown at Forbes, which is certainly the optimal outcome for both parties as it was a relationship that had turned sour.
Cristiano Ronaldo is to leave Manchester United by mutual agreement, with immediate effect.
As a player not tied to a contract that neither he or the club wanted, this can only bring huge positives to the Portugal fold. No longer does Ronaldo need to worry about the drama at Manchester United; he can focus fully on attempting to deliver the trophy to his homeland, and in potentially doing so he could earn himself one final move to one of Europe’s giant clubs. Perhaps he could even remarkably link up with Lionel Messi at Paris Saint-Germain.
The club thanks him for his immense contribution across two spells at Old Trafford.#MUFC
While Ronaldo’s mental focus was on the issues at club level, it certainly affected his football on the pitch. The few minutes to make an effect afforded him at his now former club and ongoing noise around his fraught relationship with United certainly affected his form. Which perhaps also contributed to Portugal’s failure to secure top spot in their UEFA Nations League group.
Not being the first player named on the teamsheet is something Ronaldo has not faced from any coach up to now throughout his career, and it certainly will have impacted him, as well as the general uncertainty over whether he would stay at the club and fight for his place or not.
Although his future is still unclear and he could be playing for a host of different clubs come the turn of the year, destiny is now firmly in Ronaldo’s hands, he is in control again. He is no longer contracted meaning a club will pay no transfer fee for his services, and his form at the World Cup in Qatar could directly result in him securing a contract at a new club.
He has a clear point to prove at the FIFA World Cup and that is that his playing days are not finished yet. His mentality means he is always determined to prove his doubters wrong and win over and over. A fuelled and well-rested Ronaldo is sure to be a huge threat at the tournament, and Portugal could receive the eternal benefits in the form of a World Cup trophy.
