never get back with an ex - The Cristiano Ronaldo (Returns) Thread

Waking up to hearing the news of Ronaldo's return was almost surreal in nature, a dream come true in so many ways for so many reasons, including the nostalgia reverberating from the period of dominance he represented for us in terms of thrilling footy and hardware.

I decided to not comment until my emotions descended to normalcy after the storm surge of the previous few hours, because this transfer is polarizing in so many ways for many people.

My heart says this is amazing news, the king returning home for one last ride into battle where we emerge victorious, simultaneously instilling the work ethic, ambition, never say die attitude, and professionalism so associated with both him and the Fergie team of his era. My brain however states at 36 going on 37 he can't possibly replicate the insane numbers he's put up for his last few seasons where he still averaged a goal a game for Juventus, and his lack of work rate in pressing up front would unbalance our team like it does Portugal where they have to compensate. Where Real Madrid and Juventus had to compensate as well. Yet, I look back on his debut, how me at 13 years of age sat on that sofa telling everyone that having seen him for Sporting beforehand and for Portugal youth teams, that he will be magical. And HOW HE LIVED UP TO THAT ON HIS DEBUT, where everyone was stunned. It was captivating. I remember the sadness of how he wanted to go to Real Madrid after winning everything with us, yet the satisfaction of him staying a final year and still leading us to another CL final in 2009 (Where I believe Fergie got some things wrong but that's a discussion for another thread). He did say a few years back he would never play for another team in England, and I sincerely believe he was secretly hoping the overture from City would spur Manchester United into action. Save it say it did (with the momentum sparked by Fergie himself and people like Evra/Rio etc).

I can see how many view the rape case as scandalous and a massive mark on him as an individual. Much has been said about that on this forum the previous 12 hours, and it is an incredibly sensitive topic for many here it seems like, so I'll keep my thoughts on that specific case private. We don't have all the information regarding what really occurred that night, some fall on one side, the other fall on the other, and ultimately we will never know.

I think overall this could potentially be a massive boost to our squad; look at the reaction from various players including Sancho, Varane, Pogba, Bruno, Cavani, and others. Look at the lengths Fergie went to to communicate with him and the club to get it done, look at the reactions of legends like Evra, Rio, Gary Neville etc...you can see how much it means to them! And in turn how much this could mean for all of us, IF WE GET IT RIGHT.

And that's the key, getting it right to ensure this move works out. To do that we need to tackle a number of points:

1- A defensive midfielder with a good passing range is really needed, we need to grab one because the difference in quality between the defense/attack and midfield now is absolutely staggering. It's the missing piece of the puzzle.

2- We need to ensure Ronaldo get's rested and rotated to keep him fresh and able to perform to the best of his ability. Someone needs to talk to him and implement that idea that he can't play every match in the league, or in some cases he might be better suited to come on as a impact sub vs tired legs the last 30 after Greenwood/Rashford/Cavani go at them.

3- The overall balance of the squad; We need to line up accordingly, whether its Pogba on the left in a diamond where Sancho bombs forward from the right with Ronaldo up front...or if we grab a defensive midfielder it might allow Pogba to play in the middle in a box to box role with a front three consisting of our plethora of attacking threats.

4- Greenwood needs to continue to get starting time, he has started well and I do not want him to all of a sudden get shoved to the bench and a peripheral option.

All in all, I think if handled properly, the acquisition of Ronaldo for 15 million with his wages cut in half compared to what he was earning before is a no brainer, that will spur us to be contenders for the first time in a long long time.

Rio's reaction was brilliant with the glasses, and here's a reminder of what 36 year old Ronaldo is still capable of doing:

 

Lies. You didn’t see Ronaldo play for sporting. It’s obvious from your posts you do not watch Portuguese football so I doubt you saw a sporting game all those years ago when the games were less accessible in North America.

You bandwagoned on man United after Ronaldo joined.

Joao Martelo

 

Exclusive: Cristiano Ronaldo to become Premier League’s highest-ever earner - and how Tom Brady inspired the Glazers to push through deal / @TelegraphDucker https://t.co/bJKpxWX8dO

— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) August 28, 2021

Not surprising that the Glazers are being inspired by their recent success with Tom Brady at the Bucs when giving the green light to this deal.
We'll see if it works: let's hope...

 

Big question marks about the intelligence of this given transfer strategy, age profile, team needs, team cohesiveness, implications on others playing time, deployment of limited resources going forward, financial implications etc.

However it is what it is and wont change - so might as well lean into it

 

Cristiano Ronaldo has completed his medical as new Manchester United player in Portugal. The contract has been signed. Deal until June 2023. Visa process started. 🔴🛫 #MUFC

His salary could change depending on the many add-ons included in the contract with Man Utd. #Ronaldo

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 30, 2021

 

They said during the game on NBC Sports yesterday that the team is waiting to announce what number he'll have until tues. Was rather surprised that they even mentioned it and specifically saying until tues.

 

With James leaving, #21 is Cavani's number for Uruguay and he wants that number.

 

I'd expect the league would grant the approval for the number change of cavani to 21 and ronaldo to 7.

 

🚨

OFFICIAL:

Cristiano Ronaldo has been registered as a Manchester United player with the Premier League.

He’s also got the number 7. pic.twitter.com/KTg2tWrVR9

— The CR7 Timeline. (@TimelineCR7) August 30, 2021

 

we sacrifice James for shirt number purpose

 

Le message du retour de Cristiano Ronaldo est devenu le post le plus liké dans l'histoire des réseaux sociaux pour une équipe sportive. Pus de 12,9 millions de likes sur le compte Instagram de United et plus de deux millions de likes sur Twitter. [@TelegraphDucker] #MUFC pic.twitter.com/lS8lX3yQaK

— Manchester United (@MUnitedFR) August 30, 2021

"The posts confirming Ronaldo's return have become the most liked in the history of social media for a sports team, with over 12.9mil on IG and more than 2mil on Twitter."

#mufc have attracted more than 3.7m followers across the club’s social media channels since Cristiano Ronaldo's announcement. There was over 27m social media interactions on Friday #mulive [@TelegraphDucker]

— utdreport (@utdreport) August 30, 2021

For that alone, there is no doubt that Woodward and the Glazers are doing flips all over the place, with such social media engagement.
Ftr, at 184mil, Ronaldo has more followers on IG than all Prem clubs combined.

 

Jesus Christ. That's a lot of new followers for us to disappoint.

Is Ole up to that kind of pressure?

I mean, he's just failed to disappoint @johno with James transfer. Not off to a great start.

 

And they could have had it the past... 6 years? if they'd gone for him when he went to Juventus

 

🇵🇹🔴 𝗩𝗜𝗩𝗔 𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗗𝗢 🔴🇵🇹

🏡 @Cristiano is back!#MUFC | #RonaldoReturns

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 31, 2021

Run. It. Back.

⏪ @Cristiano#MUFC | #RonaldoReturns pic.twitter.com/cA4BJDAkIc

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 31, 2021

 

Is he able to do this by law? I thought it's unless Cavani is transfered out.

 

Homecoming complete ✔

🔴 @Cristiano#MUFC | #RonaldoReturns

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 31, 2021

For Sir Alex ❤️#MUFC | #RonaldoReturns https://t.co/D9BpiNdO1J pic.twitter.com/PVOYZqN8io

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 31, 2021

 

Saw that post, then watched the video of SAF congratulating nani and cr7 after the european champ too many times this morning... we still have issues on-pitch but the vibes are amazing.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CTO-ldLgiVr/

s

• 
  cristiano
  Verified
  Everyone who knows me, knows about my never ending love for Manchester United. The years I spent in this club where absolutely amazing and the path we’ve made together is written in gold letters in the history of this great and amazing institution.
  
  I can’t even start to explain my feelings right now, as I see my return to Old Trafford announced worldwide. It’s like a dream come true, after all the times that I went back to play against Man. United, and even as an opponent, to have always felt such love and respect from the supporters in the stands. This is absolutely 100% the stuff that dreams are made of!
  
  My first domestic League, my first Cup, my first call to the Portuguese National team, my first Champions League, my first Golden Boot and my first Ballon d’Or, they were all born from this special connection between me and the Red Devils. History has been written in the past and history will be written once again! You have my word!
  
  I’m right here!
  I’m back where I belong!
  Let’s make it happen once again!
  
  PS - Sir Alex, this one is for you…

Jeez. I can't hold it back