Manchester United fans have showed, that like with their manager, Cristiano Ronaldo has been quickly consigned to the history books.
Erik ten Hag has been keen to put the saga surrounding the 37-year-old behind him, after United managed to mutually terminate his contract last month. Ronaldo had spent much of Ten Hag’s time in the Red Devils’ dugout attempting to engineer an exit, with hopes of joining a Champions League club.
Following his explosive interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo got half of his wish granted and was allowed to leave Old Trafford a full six months before the end of his deal. He didn’t manage to return to Europe’s elite competition however, with the market for the competition’s record goalscorer never materialising.
On Friday he completed a money-spinning move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, putting pen to paper on a deal worth a reported £173million-per-year. Speaking before Ronaldo found his new employers, Ten Hag moved to put a line under the forward’s tumultuous final months at the club.
"He's gone and it's the past," he told MUTV. "We are now looking forward and we're looking to the future."
And that future was clear and present as United rounded off their 2022 with a visit to relegation-threatened Wolverhampton Wanderers. As Ten Hag continues to assess his options post-Ronaldo a number of players have been given a run-out.
Marcus Rashford has emerged as the most viable replacement for the departing Ronaldo, but was dropped by Ten Hag for what the Dutchman described as a ‘breach of internal discipline.’
That gave a chance for Alejandro Garnacho, who has quickly emerged as a fans’ favourite at Old Trafford and showed his massive potential in scoring the winner vs Fulham before the World Cup break. The 18-year-old then had a promising cameo in the win over Nottingham Forest, before getting the nod in the Black Country.
Speaking before kick-off, Ten Hag said of Garnacho: “He always plays brave, I want to see his movements with and without the ball. He has to attack the defending line as the players in front like Antony and Bruno [Fernandes] as well."
That show of faith from the manager was immediately backed by the Steve Bull Lower Stand, packed out with travelling United supporters. Even before the game was underway, the away end regaled the new crown of United with the “Viva Garnacho” chant previously reserved for his veteran colleague, with Wolves fans cheekily responded with the old version.
It remains to be seen whether Ronaldo was watching his old team-mates from his new Saudi residence, who spoke in glowing terms about the new challenge now on offer. "I’m thrilled for new experience in a different league and a different country, the vision that Al Nassr has is very inspiring. I am very excited to join my teammates, to help the team to achieve more success."
Ronaldo could make his debut for Al-Nassr in the club’s first game of 2023 when they face Al-Ta’ee on Thursday.
