Cristiano Ronaldo : Heading back to Old Trafford?

Less than two weeks before the transfer window closes, smart money is that Cristiano Ronaldo is not coming. With both the Premier League and La Liga already started, it is highly unlikely a player of Ronaldo’s calibre would make a switch this late, or like they said – in football you never know….especially when Gareth Bale transfer is about to be finalized.
Will these two speedy, goal scoring forward/ wingers (and both holding the title of ‘most expensive’ and ‘second most expensive’ footballers in the history of professional football) able to complement each other (read this article), to a point where even teams like Bayern Munich and Barcelona could not match in terms of attractiveness? Or will one (or both) of their ego gets the better of them – to a point where Real Madrid has to choose. If it does come to this point age will be the determining factor unless of course Gareth Bale fails miserably to settle to life in Spain.

 

To most loyal Manchester United’s supporters, the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo has more to do with firstly – to ease the transitions of the new management structure at the club. Both Sir Alex Ferguson and his ‘partner in crime’ David Gill have left their positions, together they formed one of the most effective and lasting combination in manager-owner/ chief executive role and this was reflected in the trophies at Old Trafford’s display area as well as United’s rise as a global  brand. The importance of winning over new and additional supporters is key to gaining confidence over potential sponsors and/ or investors. While United’s new chief executive Ed Woodward can be seen as young and rather inexperience, David Moyes is not. Moyes has more than ten years of experience managing a Premier League side although not to United’s stature. Therefore a marquee signing can be seen as an important statement to the public/ fans and Ronaldo will fits perfectly into this purpose. Secondly, with the impending (sooner or later) departure of Wayne Rooney, Manchester United is going to lose one of its Premier League star. Despite the manner of him wanting to leave a club like Manchester United, Rooney has done reasonably enough over the years to reach the star status of the Premier League. Robin Van Persie has not reach there yet (unless of course if United manage to win both domestic and European title this season with him playing a key role), therefore the arrival of a player of Ronaldo’s stature is more than enough to ease the void left by Rooney’s departure.

 

Loyal and die hard supporters knows well that Manchester United is about the team rather than one single particular player. Take for example, when Ronaldo left in 2008, United had gone on and win another two Premier League titles to surpass every other English clubs. The same goes for players like Eric Cantona, Peter Schmeichel, Jaap Stam and Roy Keane. All are key players and their leaving did not in any manner or ways stop United from further success on the field. With or without Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United will continue to strive as the structure and culture in place are there for the club to move forward. However if Ronaldo does makes his way to Old Trafford, either this season or when his contract expire in 18 months time, he will be most welcome – a player of this quality will always be.