After an emotional return to Old Trafford on transfer deadline day last August, Manchester United fans were hopeful that the marquee signing of Cristiano Ronaldo could propel the club back to the pinnacle of the Premier League. Unfortunately, things haven’t quite panned out that way for the player or his team.
Although Ronaldo boasts an enviable goal tally of 23 in 36 games at the time of writing, including 17 in the Premiership, his second spell has been marred with rumors of dressing room unrest and petulant incidents such as the one where he knocked a phone from the hand of a young Everton fan in April. What’s more, Man Utd are suffering a dreadfully disappointing season and the smart money (or the smart cryptocurrency, for bitcoin betting enthusiasts) says they’ll almost certainly miss out on Champions League football next year. With that in mind, is it time for Ronaldo to hang up his famous CR7 boots?
Not going to plan
Ronaldo’s second coming was supposed to inspire a resurgence at Old Trafford at large, but instead the club sit six points adrift of the top four having played a game more than their rivals. They’ve also suffered humiliating defeats against many of the other big teams, including a chastening 0-9 aggregate score-line over two legs against archrivals Liverpool.
As ever, this has prompted the tabloid media to declare that the club is in crisis and look for scapegoats to blame. Given Ronaldo’s superstar status and his notoriously greedy playing style, he’s perhaps naturally served as something of a lightning rod for the criticism. There are those who argue he doesn’t fit with interim manager Ralf Rangnick’s pressing style, and would be even less attractive to the similarly intensive Erik ten Haag, set to succeed Rangnick in the summer.
Quit while ahead?
That line of reasoning has led many to suggest that Ronaldo’s interest would be best served away from Old Trafford next season – and vice versa. One thing is for sure: if ten Haag does decide that Ronaldo is surplus to requirements, there will be no shortage of clubs vying for his signature come the off-season.
On the other hand, some quarters of the media have called for Ronaldo to quit while he’s still at the peak of his powers. One such commentator, former Chelsea and France defender Frank Leboeuf, had this to say: “I don’t want to watch Ronaldo and have pity, because he’s been on the top for so many years. I don’t want him to be a normal player. He’s been an exceptional player for so long. I’d prefer him to give up his career at the top instead of maybe trying and play for two or three more years and not being the player that he used to be.”
Up to the man himself
Of course, everyone has their own opinion and another legend of the game, Dutch striker Marco van Basten, has imparted the opposite advice to his compatriot ten Haag. Speaking to the Rondo Show, van Basten said that as long as Ronaldo continues to contribute with a steady supply of goals, he should retain his place in the starting lineup. It’s hard to argue with that simple but potent logic.
On the other hand, the views and counsel of ex-pros are one thing – but the question of whether Ronaldo should bow out at the end of the season is one that can only be answered by him. In his most recent interview on the subject, Ronaldo avowed his intention to keep playing football at the highest level possible well into his 40s.
With a World Cup in Qatar on the horizon and a new season full of possibilities right around the corner, it’s likely that CR7 will continue playing for several years yet.
