The return of Ronaldo would strike a blow against United's rivals

By Martin Keown

PUBLISHED: 17:50 EST, 9 May 2013 | UPDATED: 18:21 EST, 9 May 2013

Sir Alex Ferguson retiring will have given hope to all of Manchester United’s big rivals. He put in so much fight to that club, driving the players on and making them great.

With him gone, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool will be wanting to strike. But bringing back Cristiano Ronaldo to the club would change all that. 

Instead of getting weaker, United would be sending out a clear message: we’re getting stronger by bringing back our best ever player.

Statement of intent: If Manchester United were to re-sign Cristiano Ronaldo it'd be a real coup

Statement of intent: If Manchester United were to re-sign Cristiano Ronaldo it'd be a real coup

RONALDO IN NUMBERS

9

The number of trophies Ronaldo won in his six seasons at Manchester United, a total that includes three Premier League titles, one FA Cup and one Champions League.

118

Goals scored for United by Ronaldo in 292 appearances. He hit 84 in the Premier League, 17 in the domestic cups and 16 in Europe.

£68m

Profit United made when they sold Ronaldo to Real Madrid in 2009 for £80m. He signed for United in 2003 for £12.2m.

It would be an incredible coup. It would make a huge statement and it is exactly what Manchester City failed to do when they won the Premier League last season.

They didn’t improve their squad. Ronaldo was outstanding at Old Trafford, particularly in his last three seasons when he scored more than 20 goals each time. But he is even better now. He can’t stop scoring — he has notched 53, 50 and 54 goals in his past three campaigns — and his potential arrival would  give United such a huge lift. They might be feeling a bit flat after the manager’s departure but Ronaldo’s return would soon change things. 

What do you get with Ronaldo? He can produce lung-bursting runs like an international sprinter, he can jump like a basketball player and his stationary spring is the best you’ll ever  see. He has incredible power in his shots too.

His decision-making improves every year. He has the necessary tricks but knows when to dribble, when to pass or when to shoot. 

Prolific: Cristiano Ronaldo's goal record makes him one of the world's best

Prolific: Cristiano Ronaldo's goal record makes him one of the world's best

He also can play off the left for United, where they don’t have a No 1 player.

They have used Ashley Young, Wayne Rooney, Nani and Shinji Kagawa there but Ronaldo is a step up in class.

Him there with Robin van Persie in the middle is a mouthwatering prospect.  

Classy: Robin van Persie is presently United's main man

Classy: Robin van Persie is presently United's main man

For Ronaldo, it might take some adjusting. It’s surreal when you go back to your old club, as I did when I rejoined Arsenal. It doesn’t feel real at first — you have to pinch yourself. It’s not  guaranteed he will walk back in and score 40 or 50 goals in a season. There will have to be a certain degree of patience. But he will want to show he’s even better.

Stability: David Moyes is unlikely to make wholesale changes at Old Trafford

Stability: David Moyes is unlikely to make wholesale changes at Old Trafford

I would be surprised if he is joined by a raft of new signings at Old Trafford. David Moyes will be a fan of 90 per cent of the players at United because they are top-drawer and he will want to give people a chance to impress him.

Too many changes can destabilise a club and losing the manager is the biggest change of all. Moyes is cautious and a team builder so Ronaldo would be perfect but he doesn’t have to be the start of a summer of madness.

 

More...

 
Add your comments

Comments (29)

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

 View all

enough of talk, do something and bring back ronaldo where he belongs

Click to rate     Rating   37

Report abuse

Oh I wish this would materialise, but until the ink has dried on a Man Utd contract then I dimiss the continued link!

Click to rate     Rating   14

Report abuse

Unfortunately, Ronaldo at Madrid is a completely different character than when he was at Man Utd. He now rules,speaks and does as he pleases. Sadly i feel he would be divisive in the changing room which is not what Moyes needs as a new manager having to fill the massive hole left by Sir Alexs departure.

Click to rate     Rating   5

Report abuse

he wont come back now fergie's gone

Click to rate     Rating   7

Report abuse

Man Utd can't afford Ronaldo.

Click to rate     Rating   2

Report abuse

Can't see it happening. Pity.

Click to rate     Rating   2

Report abuse

"What do you get with Ronaldo?" The most spectacular cheat the game of football has ever seen!

Click to rate     Rating   19

Report abuse

Ronaldo and RVP up front. That's at least 50 goals a season organized.

Click to rate     Rating   25

Report abuse

Ronaldo going to Man U is NOT going to happen. Paper talk.

Click to rate     Rating   1

Report abuse

But Moyes will insist Ronaldo does more defensive duties, presses all over the pitch, becomes more pragmatic a footballer and will neuter him. He can't help it, it's what he does.

Click to rate     Rating   5

Report abuse

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

You have 1000 characters left.
Libellous and abusive comments are not allowed. Please read our House Rules.
For information about privacy and cookies please read our Privacy Policy.
Terms