We take a look at how much rumored arrival of Ronaldo will affect three key players at Old Trafford.
It’s been a whirlwind past 24 hours for football fans and even more so Manchester United fans. The football world took a deep breath when the news was dripping out of Juventus that their star man Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t want to start against Udinese as he wants to sort his future out.
This seemed odd, especially as CR7 posted a defiant message on social media calling talk of a transfer ‘disrespectful’. That disrespectful talk (his words not mine) started to develop as Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes met with Juve officials and the process for Cristiano Ronaldo leaving really started to gather momentum.
Where will the 36-year-old go was the next question, after it became blatantly clear that the former Real Madrid man wanted out of Turin? Is now the time to talk about the emotional homecoming?
In short, it wasn’t, not just yet anyway. It was arch-rivals Manchester City who seemed to be in pole position to sign the former Red Devil and not United themselves. Could the darling of Old Trafford do the unthinkable and move to Man City?
Well, it appeared to be that The Citizens were the only team in for the Portugal captain. A fee of some €25 million-plus add ons was suggested, but City didn’t want to pay a fee, especially as they would have to consider the monster wages that the former Sporting Lisbon player Ronaldo would command.
Talks appeared to be going well between Ronaldo and City, the unthinkable to United fans seemed to be close and all too real. For some fans, it became too much. Shirts were burned and a few foul-mouthed tirades were tweeted, but 24-48 hours down the line those very fans will be quickly deleting messages, tweets, and even internet history in the hope to banish such an embarrassing memory.
Man United fans, needn’t worry as football father Sir Alex had a chat and just like Berbatov did, Ronaldo too had no interest in City once he knew of United’s interest. Red Devil’s
The social media team, gleefully announced that Ronaldo has come back home on a two-year deal, with reported wages of £480,000 a week.
Sir Alex Ferguson whose influence in the move for Cristiano has since been credited putting the groundwork into place, Fergie you’re one of those heroes that don’t need to fight in the streets of Gotham City. But you Sir, should feature in one of Marvel Comics as just yourself, even if you don’t have a cape, because they do say, not all heroes wear capes and Sir Alex Ferguson most definitely does not.
With the real fanfare at Manchester United right now, the reality is that some of the United squad will see their game time affected we think due to arrival of Ronaldo.
Jesse Lingard
Warrington-born Lingard has been on the periphery for some time at Old Trafford. With the re-signing of their iconic number seven, we think it’s going to be difficult for The Reds to accommodate former West Ham loanee Jesse Lingard. The 28-year old who had a difficult start to life under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer managed to recapture his form when out on loan at West Ham.
At the London Stadium, the Manchester United player was able to score eight goals in sixteen games. Just maybe, Man United fans would see the talent of Jesse Lingard that we all know he has.
There was one problem for the 28-year old Lingard, trying to dislodge Bruno Fernandez from the number 10 position that ‘Lingardinho’ wanted to make his own. This isn’t a problem just for Jesse who had a good spell with United when Jose Mourinho was manager, it’s been a problem for any Man United player as Fernandez played over 60 games.
Jesse Lingard for the sake of his career should leave United and if it’s West Ham show serious interest then accept it, Jesse, think of your career!
Anthony Martial
Anthony Marital is somewhat of an enigma to Manchester United fans. An enigma in the sense of, is he the real deal or not? If one recalls his debut against Liverpool, then the argument would be after that game there would be no argument to answer.
The problem, a frustrating one of that too for manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is that Martial blows hot and cold. In some matches he is in blistering hot form and in others, he is like an old diesel car that’s sluggish when the engine isn’t fully warmed up.
The talent is evident, but the consistency isn’t it. Wide on the left has been a position commonly used for the former Monaco man, but down the middle we felt is better suited to him, due to his ice-cold finishing.
There is one issue with that the ice-cold killer touch in front of goal, what we felt he was good, even that’s deserted Anthony Marital. The Frenchman who didn’t make the cut for Didier Deschamps Euro 2020 squad, was reportedly offered to Inter Milan, but the move didn’t materialize.
It’s a shame really, we fear this could be a long season for United’s number nine, especially with Cavani and Ronaldo seeming to be at their physical peak and at the peak of their powers, despite their respective ages.
Daniel James
The last name on our list, it could be argued is a strange choice, but at the same time, it isn’t we argue. Welsh Wizard Daniel James who took early life at United by storm, fizzled out badly in his debut season as the season went on.
Signed for a bargain £15 million in manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first full summer, big things weren’t expected of the former Swansea man straight away. Having said that, performances became limited for the 23-year old.
With the arrival of Portugal captain Ronaldo, any hopes for minutes and game time will further dwindle. A speed merchant who’s shown he has an eye for goal, we suggest that although his game time will be limited, he could actually learn and benefit from one of Manchester United’s greatest wingers.
So there you have our three players who will be most affected by CR7’S arrival. Do you agree with our picks? Let us know in the comments.
