For the sake of the team, Manchester United may have to sell Cristiano Ronaldo this summer.
Throughout last season, a debate polarized opinion at Manchester United. The question was whether they would be better with or without Cristiano Ronaldo.
The answer has never been obvious. There’s a quantifiable argument that Ronaldo scored 24 goals in 37 appearances and was frequently their savior in times of need.
The counter-argument is that they were far worse as a team, finishing trophyless as part of a disastrous season that saw them finish sixth in the Premier League.
Then there are the qualitative characteristics. Ronaldo was a huge marketing success for United, helping them break merchandise sales records and set all-time social media highs. His worth extends far beyond the goals he plunders.
The Portuguese also serves as an excellent role model for those he plays with, though his authority can be problematic. In order to appease client Ronaldo, his agent, Jorge Mendes, recommended Julen Lopetegui to the club in their search for a new manager.
The forward’s power also makes him a lynchpin in the dressing room, and if he is forced to stay this summer, his disappointment could disrupt the squad harmony in Erik ten Hag’s debut season.
It means we may finally be getting closer to United without Ronaldo, and Ten Hag may look to predecessor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to compensate for any departure.
The 2019/20 season was cut short due to the fact that it resumed behind closed doors and many of the matches were played in what was effectively a training ground environment.
Regardless of the circumstances, United performed admirably during Project Restart and then again the following season, finishing second. The truth is that they were probably not as good as many thought at the time, as evidenced by how frequently they were humbled last season, even though there was genuine quality on display.
A fluid forward line that emphasized player movement and flexibility in order to confuse defenses and carve open sides that used a man-marking approach was key to this. In fact, during the 19/20 season, United’s forward line outscored Liverpool’s title-winning attack of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, and Mohamed Salah.
It’s also worth noting that Solskjaer was content to go into last season without another established striker until a chance meeting with Ronaldo presented itself out of nowhere, providing United with a new blueprint after the season had already begun.
If the Portuguese leave again this summer, perhaps Ten Hag should take that approach, with Marcus Rashford, a survivor of the aforementioned trio, and Jadon Sancho, another capable of adapting to it. Anthony Martial could be given one of his final chances there, and the formation may suit Anthony Elanga’s versatility as well.
Throw in Bruno Fernandes and now Christian Eriksen as potential false nine options, and there are plenty of options, though their success would be heavily reliant on teamwork rather than individual flashes of brilliance.
With Erling Haaland and Darwin Nunez now at United’s two main rivals, most United fans will be clamoring for their own specialist centre-forward, though signing a right-sided forward with proven goal-scoring ability could be the answer.
There is still hope that both Amad and Facundo Pellistri can develop into long-term United players, but the focus this summer may be on signing another to help offset Ronaldo’s potential departure and restore their old formation.
United are interested in signing Ajax ace Antony, who could be the ideal addition to the forward line in a deal that could be accelerated if Ronaldo is replaced.
If United are unable to sign a striker of the caliber of Haaland or Nunez this summer, it may be better to wait until they can, rather than buy a stopgap who lacks the potential to match their lofty ambitions.
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