At one point in Manchester United’s season, there was an argument that Cristiano Ronaldo could no longer cut it in the frontline. That has been quickly quashed by the Red Devils’ plight — and now they are the ones who may struggle to hold onto their star man.
The 37-year-old had been singled out as a problem area for the club as his inability to press contradicted Ralf Rangnick’s coaching style. Similarly, when his goalscoring form fell off the grid for a period of 10 games where he scored just once, it felt like he was being hoisted up by his team-mates.
How things change. The Portuguese superstar has gone on to score 24 goals in all competitions in 38 appearances, with another three assists for his team-mates, to become the leading light in an otherwise bleak season. Hat-tricks against Tottenham and Norwich came at pivotal moments but United have ultimately fallen so far short of expectations.
Saturday's humiliating 4-0 defeat at Brighton capped everything that is currently wrong with the squad. They were not just outfought by the hosts, the Seagulls played the better football and created more chances. The reality is that Graham Potter’s side are better equipped than the out-of-sorts muddle that Rangnick is struggling to hold together.
Bruno Fernandes summarised the issues within the dressing room, conceding Brighton “had more desire than us”. Such an admission is criminal in football because it points to players not trying hard enough, which should be a prerequisite given the millions that the players take home every week.
That defeat has left United on the brink of missing out on the Europa League next season, with Champions League football mathematically beyond their reach. It is going to be their worst-ever points return for a Premier League campaign too, just to underline their sharp decline.
And the simple fact is that Ronaldo, as a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, did not return to Old Trafford to make up the numbers — he wants to win. If he cannot do that with United, he may search for a new challenge elsewhere, according to ex-striker Dion Dublin.
“I don’t know where Ronaldo goes from here,” Dublin told Sky Sports. “Does he go back to Italy or Spain? I don’t know where he goes. I find it hard to see him staying at United unless something is done incredibly quickly. Then again, I don’t know where he goes.
“I think United will be lost without him so I am hoping he is going to be [staying at] United without a doubt. But I don’t know why he’d stay to be honest with you. Unless the new manager says 'right £300million, these players are coming in, please stay. Otherwise I think he’s gone.”
Dublin also drew attention to the fact the Portuguese superstar was seen with a bemused expression after Brighton scored their third goal of the evening, adding: “One of the tell-tale signs was after one of the goals Ronaldo was laughing. Is he laughing at his players? Is he saying, 'What's going on here, am I at Man United or not?'. That summed up today.”
The idea is that incoming head coach Erik ten Hag will want to use Ronaldo’s experience makes sense, especially considering he has found the net 15 times more than Fernandes, the next highest scorer. But if United are travelling to the obscure corners of eastern Europe for Europa Conference League qualifiers, why should the veteran attacker waste his time at that level?
Destinations are limited due to his extortionate salary demands, but Ronaldo remains a hot commodity in the transfer market due to his global marketing appeal and impact on the pitch. Paris Saint-Germain could afford his wages but have Lionel Messi earning an astronomical wage, so a move to MLS looks like a more realistic option.
Rangnick is hoping for “at least six signings”, but United’s troubles are so vast that a near entire new starting XI is required to truly make them capable of challenging again. Only an incredible summer transfer window may be enough to rescue United from their current situation — and convince Ronaldo to see out the last year of his contract.
