The Date: 27th May 2009.
The Venue: Stadio Olympico, Rome.
The occasion: The UEFA Champions League Final – FC Barcelona vs Manchester United.
An evening every United fan perhaps hopes to forget. When an inspired Barcelona performance ended a seemingly unstoppable Manchester United’s 25 match unbeaten European run, denying United back-to-back Champions League titles. Ending a promising season – that included a third consecutive Premier League trophy – in bitter disappointment. And as the fans still picked themselves up from this disappointment, and of course the subsequent banter from rival fans, came another crushing blow. The club’s best player, the world’s best player, Cristiano Ronaldo, would move on to Real Madrid, for what was then a world record transfer fee. A news that most fans knew was coming sooner rather than later. But one that nevertheless hurt. More so because of its timing.
It’s been 12 years since that disappointing summer. 10 of which saw at least a few unsubstantiated rumours linking Ronaldo to a sensational return to Old Trafford. To the point that even the most optimistic fans lost interest in stories of this fabled return. Until, 27th August 2021. A day that started off with United fans fearing the worst – watching a United hero join their local rivals, but ended in celebrations as United announced the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo. From getting ready to torch what was once their favourite Ronaldo shirts to debating what number he would now wear at the club. From dreading the sight of Ronaldo in the blue of Manchester City, to the excitement of watching him come on for United.
As a United fan, it’s quite easy, and understandable to get emotional about a Ronaldo reunion. But what does this return really mean? For the club, the league, the owners, and the player himself.
The Juventus disappointment
It’s no secret that Ronaldo’s three-year Juventus journey hasn’t exactly gone like the club, and the player himself had imagined. Over 100 goals across three seasons, two Serie A titles, two Suppercoppa Italiana medals, and one Coppa Italia win would probably indicate a successful spell for any player at any club. But this isn’t just any player. At a transfer fee of €100 million, there was just undoubtedly one goal in mind above all else, when Juventus signed the five-time Ballon d’Or winner. To lead Juventus to its first Champions League glory since 1996. A goal that they never could achieve, despite their domestic success. And you just had the feeling that with the high wages, and just one year remaining on his contract, the club would be at the very least, open to hearing offers for the Portuguese star.
Despite the 100+ goals, despite the titles won, it was time for both, club and player to move on. Both I’m sure unhappy with what the club achieved together. And perhaps happy that this disappointing chapter comes to a smooth, albeit disappointing end.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s sensational move to Manchester City United
Cristiano Ronaldo on the verge of joining Manchester City. A nightmare for United fans across the world. And not just for emotional reasons. After comfortably winning the league in 2020-21, Pep Guardionla’s Manchester City for me were the favourites to win it again. You add Cristiano Ronaldo to that equation, and suddenly they look like a team who can go one step further in Europe than they did last season as well. That isn’t a happy day for those who pledge their loyalty to the red half of Manchester.
So when you suddenly hear that Manchester United have entered the race to sign Ronaldo, and have subsequently signed him, the borderline over-the-top celebrations don’t really sound so strange. You may also be excused to believe that United fans might just celebrating Ronaldo ‘not joining’ City almost as much as they are celebrating him joining United.
The Cristiano Ronaldo impact on Manchester United
Clubs like Manchester United or Manchester City – the two among other European clubs who were perhaps interested in signing Ronaldo – don’t spend a lot of money, if any, to sign 36-year-old footballers. But at the risk of repeating myself, this isn’t just any footballer we are talking about. This is a five-time Ballon d’Or winner. A five time UEFA Champions League Winner. Winner of leagues and domestic trophies across England, Spain, and Italy. A UEFA Euro winner. The all-time Champions League top goal scorer. In short, it isn’t just a serial goal scorer United are signing. It isn’t just a United hero or a fan favourite the club is re-signing. It is a serial winner, and a winning mentality that the club is paying for. So what is the impact Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer and United will hope he has.
- Goals. Goals. And some more goals.
I don’t think anyone is expecting the same Cristiano Ronaldo of 2009 today. We simply can’t. He’s evolved as a player. As opposed to the constant sprints down the wings, I would expect, as I suppose many others would, Ronaldo to have a more central and goal scoring role in his second stint at United. And with the record he boasts of combined with the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba, Jadon Sancho, and Marcus Rashford, I would probably be surprised if he didn’t hit the 30-goal mark on his return to English football. - The Winning Mentality
Five Champions Leagues medals. League medals and Domestic Cups across England, Spain, and Italy. UEFA Euro 2016 winner. Five-time Ballon d’Or winner. That just isn’t normal. Ronaldo’s competitive nature is by no means a secret. Even at 36, the desire to win just doesn’t seem to fade away. United on the other hand have a team that seems almost satisfied with its run of semi-final, final, and league runner up finishes. The difference, as many would agree is the lack of a winner. And with Cristiano Ronaldo, along with Raphael Varane of course, you get something more. Not just players who want to win. But players almost addicted to winning. Players for whom coming second best is and will never be good enough. - Commercial Gains
I don’t think there’s a lot to be said here. When Manchester United, one of the biggest football clubs and global football brands, sign Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the greatest players to play the game, the sensation it creates, the sponsorship deals it offers, and the merchandise sales generates is guaranteed to have an upward commercial effect for the club. A lot which might go towards paying the players staggering wages. But as fans, we would hope that it is the trophies and the prize money they bring contribute towards the club’s commercial success. - Impact on Fans
Match-week 1 of the league. United ready to host Leeds United. And just before kick-off, we see Raphael Varane walk out to a packed stadium. If you saw that, I don’t need to tell you the impact it had. If you didn’t, I don’t think any words I say can do justice to the emotions it brought out in the fans. The signing of Ronaldo has already done that to United fans across the world. Whether you think this signing is a positive one or a waste of money, as a United fan, you just can’t get away from the nostalgia and the barrage of emotions that come pouring out to see a former United player, especially one who has established himself as one of the best footballers on the planet, return. - Impact on the Glazers
What can be interesting about this transfer is the outlook towards, and from the Glazers, who have been at the receiving end of the fans’ displeasure. And for good reason. In a transfer window that has seen the club bring in Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane, we now have what looks like another blockbuster signing. Having seen their NFL team, the Tampa Bay Warriors, win the Lombardi trophy by turning to a 43-year-old Tom Brady, who draws many parallels to Cristiano Ronaldo, the Glazers would be hoping this signing would have the same impact at Manchester United.
What does this mean for the Premier League
There was certainly no doubt in most minds that this is in fact the best league in the world. With players like Mohamed Salah, Kevin De Bruyne, Harry Kane, and now Romelu Lukaku, now joined by Cristiano Ronaldo, that sentiment is perhaps as strong as it could ever be.
But how does the return of Cristiano Ronaldo affect the title race? In my last post, previewing the season, I predicted Manchester City to retain their title. Chelsea signing Romelu Lukaku certainly puts that question up in the air again. Follow that up with City missing out on Harry Kane, and now with Manchester United signing Ronaldo who in my mind will certainly make a significant contribution to United’s goal return. And you have what might just be one of the most exciting league seasons in recent years.
In no way am I suggesting that the arrival of Ronaldo makes United a favourite for the league title. But it certainly tilts the entire balance. And you certainly wouldn’t bet against the team that has Ronaldo in its attack. It’s a signing that will have a massive psychological impact on United’s players and fans. And perhaps even the opponents.
What impact it will have on the results come the end of the season is something that remains to be seen. But this does promise to be an exciting season for more reasons than one. And while we have a set of games to be played over weekend, I’m already waiting for the international break to end and see a certain someone walk out in Manchester United colours once again. It’s time to write a new chapter in Ronaldo’s Manchester United legacy. It is after all a homecoming story that so many fans have dreamt of for 12 years.
