There will be people who point out that, in pure football terms, a lot has changed since Cristiano Ronaldo last wore Manchester United’s colours. Sir Alex Ferguson no longer refers to Manchester City’s ground as “the Temple of Doom”. Pep Guardiola is in town and, if everything had worked out differently, there might have been a lot of job satisfaction for Ronaldo in having a crack at winning the Champions League with the manager he has always associated, unhappily, with Lionel Messi.But then there is the counter-argument to explain why Ronaldo decided ultimately to go for the more sentimental option during the wild, eccentric 24 hours that saw the five-time Ballon d’Or winner flip-flop from one Manchester team to the other. On Thursday night, he was set for City. Friday worked out very differently.Just imagine the reception he will get when he pulls on that familiar red shirt for his first match back. Imagine the noise when the ball arrives at his feet. The second coming is likely to begin with the home game against Newcastle United on Saturday, September 11. Ronaldo, we can safely assume, will want to be in the starting XI. Just try to take the ball off him if United get a penalty, or any free kick within 35 yards of the Newcastle goal.
In 2003, the opposition were Bolton Wanderers when an 18-year-old Ronaldo, with gelled hair, braces on his teeth and pimples on his forehead, introduced himself to Old Trafford for the first time. He had magic in his feet, right from the start.
https://ift.tt/3DupYUu
Sports
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Restoring United to English football's summit is Ronaldo's mission - and what an end to his career it would be... - The Athletic"
Post a Comment