The King is back! Cristiano Ronaldo has announced on Instagram that he will play for Manchester United against Rayo Vallecano, further cementing the idea that he will stay at United for another season.
This news has really made my day. I was getting really nervous that Manchester United’s 4-0 loss against Brighton was the last time I was going to see Cristiano Ronaldo in a United jersey. What an awful thought!
Nevertheless, I don’t know why I was getting so worried as none of Ronaldo’s supposed “preferred” clubs have openly tried to acquire him. In fact, the opposite has happened.
The leaders of Atletico Madrid’s supporters club have come out and openly disavowed Cristiano Ronaldo as the “anthesis of the values which constitute Atletico’s identity”. A little harsh, but understandable given the amount of times Cristiano and his Real Madrid teams defeated Atletico in La Liga and the Champions League. (Fun Fact: Ronaldo’s 22 goals against Atletico are the most Atletico have given up to a single player. Haha, Atletico fans.)
And, Bayern Munich’s CEO, Oliver Kahn has come out and said that Ronaldo “would not have fit in our philosophy in the current situation”. Like I said in a previous article, Ronaldo is stuck at Manchester United.
Still, with the reports coming out that CR7 told United’s manager Erik Ten Hag, new senior advisor (and club icon) Sir Alex Ferguson, and CEO Richard Arnold that he still wanted to leave, I didn’t think there was a chance he was going to play in any of United’s preseason games. Thankfully, I was wrong.
Today, Ronaldo responded to a fan, who asked if he was going to play for Man Utd again, on his Instagram account by saying, “Domingo o rei jog.” That translates to “Sunday, the king plays/is playing.”
Horary!
Ronaldo as the front man in Erik Ten Hag’s new system will provide much more of a threat than Anthony Martial ever could. Sure, Ronaldo can’t press like he could 10 years ago, but that doesn’t mean he still can’t chase down center backs and goalkeepers.
The man is a freak of nature. Plus, he can put up 20-goal seasons in horrific teams (aka…Man Utd last year). That kind of talent and prowess is invaluable.
If Manchester United can get their act together and finally sign Frenkie De Jong and a new winger (as Ajax have gone insane by wanting €100 for Antony), then I think there is a good chance United can make it back to the Champions League next season. And, hopefully, convince Cristiano to sign on for a third year.
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