Opinion: A debate about whether or not Cristiano Ronaldo should start for Manchester United seems very 2003.
It was just under 20 years ago when a jet carrying the enormously talented Portuguese teenager touched down on the gold plaited soil of Manchester that was then dominated by Sir Alex Ferguson’s United.
Ronaldo was headed for the red side of the city as a David Beckham replacement and the unlikely heir to the famous No.7 shirt. However, at his then still very tender age, a starting role was not guaranteed.
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Since then, Ronaldo has gone on to become one of the greatest to ever kick a football. Five Ballon d’Or’s later, it is all history. The 2003/04 season was the last time his place in whichever side he played in would ever be questioned.
Over the past two decades, Ronaldo became untouchable. He became a staple name that most associate with winning. He won three straight Premier League titles at United before venturing off to sunny Spain and conquering the world with Real Madrid. And yet, here we are, debating if he should start.
Despite having a good — but slightly below par for his standards — individual season last year, his return to United as a whole has been massively underwhelming up to now. Ronaldo scored 24 goals in all competitions last season but United as a collective deteriorated to new lows.
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The last time Ronaldo didn’t score over 20 in a season was in 2005/06. Ever since, his production has been like we have never seen before. Him scoring goals back in England, even at 36, was a given.
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However, Ronaldo’s impact on United was not like the one most would have imagined. After finishing second in the Premier League the season prior, he was supposed to be the cherry on top of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s cake.
The team Ronaldo was joining seemed like it was constructed to challenge. Though in reality, it was so far from it. The Reds finished sixth in the league, bowed out of all the cups early, and the Norwegian club legend’s head fell under the axe.
United once again were forced to move onto pastures new. For arguably the first time since Sir Alex retired, the club opted to trust a manager on the up to take over at the wheel. Erik ten Hag has enjoyed a rather rapid rise to stardom at Ajax over the last few years and he was given the keys to Old Trafford.
Many believe that the 52-year-old has the answers to United’s recent struggles. He has the mentality, the character, and the style of play to boot. It was also believed that he could get the best out of United’s aging but still lethal marksman in Ronaldo. However, the Portuguese showman had other ideas.
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The sole reason, or two rather, behind this argument having a purpose are Ronaldo’s itchy feet. If the 37-year-old did not get wandering eyes for every European side but United, we would not be sitting here debating this right now.
Ten Hag could do worse than have Ronaldo spearheading his attack in his first season in charge. However, the five-time Champions League winner was underwhelmed by the proposition of Thursday night football and a rumored wage cut and began searching for a way out.
Murmurs about Ronaldo looking for the exit door began circulating in June, but concrete reports really intensified and proved to be true when the No.7 did not turn up for pre-season in the first week of July — when all the internationals were due back.
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The forward cites personal reasons as the excuse for his absence which the club have accepted, but it is hard to not think that his current dissatisfaction with the club is also at the root of his unknown whereabouts.
Even after going MIA, it would have been a relatively easier pill to swallow for those associated with United if Ronaldo remained in communication with the club. However, that has not been the case. Ten Hag has not spoken with Portugal’s all-time leading goal scorer since May.
By all accounts, the Dutchman had a good conversation with Ronaldo and the desire for a transfer came seemingly out of the blue.
As of today, however, as fate would want it, Ronaldo’s plan has not yet been executed. On Monday, the veteran returned to Manchester to hold talks with the new United boss after being turned down by the majority of Europe’s elite.
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It remains to be seen whether that has provided the superstar with a reality check. Also as of yesterday, Atletico Madrid seem to be the only club with a relative interest in Ronaldo’s services, but have some hurdles standing in the way of being able to take action.
There is also a conflict of interest there as Ronaldo is a legend of their cross-town rivals – Though no reports thus far have suggested that he would be against the move.
Ten Hag remained coy on the players’ future throughout the tour — adamant that he is planning with the Portuguese star in mind. The club have also consistently reiterated that Ronaldo is not for sale.
All of that brings us to around two weeks out from United’s Premier League curtain raiser against Brighton and the rather large predicament Ten Hag has found himself in.
In theory, if Ronaldo is available — he plays. However, morally, the circumstances make it a decision that is more complex than usual, and one that could have a devastating domino effect on the squad and its morale.
As popular and highly regarded as Ronaldo is, at the end of the day, he has not shown up for work while his teammates have. He did not go through the grueling pre-season regime that his teammates have and Ten Hag has not been able to drill his philosophy and ideas into his brain.
One person who has done all of the above is Anthony Martial. The Frenchman has enjoyed an outstanding pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia and looks primed to lead the line for United at Old Trafford on August 7.
History shows that the 26-year-old does not respond too well to being dropped — or just competition in general — in the past. His head seems to drop every time a new attacker enters the fray at the club.
However, his return from a disappointing loan spell at Sevilla has been nothing short of fantastic. The forward looks leaner, more energized, and with an extra spring in his step — leading by example in training and matches. Ten Hag too has been impressed.
Reports last week suggested that the Dutch boss has confirmed to Martial that he will start the season as the No. 9, even if Ronaldo decides to return.
The Portuguese forward could report for training today (Tuesday), or we will get reports reaffirming his desire to leave — there is probably no in between at this point. Whatever the conclusion of this completely unnecessary saga, dropping Martial would be harsh and totally undeserved.
The fan favourite striker showed incredible resilience, commitment, and desire to come back from the brink of the exit door and fight for his place under Ten Hag. He was given the opportunity for a fresh start and took it with both hands.
Martial scored three excellent goals in four games on tour and looked back to his dazzling best at times. Whether Ronaldo stays or not, he should be given the chance that he has rightfully earned. The starting position is his to lose.
The Frenchman offers United a lot of things the Portuguese forward does not. Martial is outstanding with his back to goal, comfortable linking play, and has a newfound eagerness to initiate the press. All of those things contribute immensely to the way the Reds want to create goal scoring opportunities and defend under Ten Hag.
Another thing working in Martial’s favour is that he does not have an ego. His teammates seem to enjoy playing with him and teeing him up. There is significantly less pressure on all those around the No. 9. He doesn’t always demand the ball. He is happy to see his teammates score.
Those are the intangibles that positively impact morale, as can be seen in all of the content United have posted throughout pre-season. It looks like a whole new squad out there sometimes. There is newfound positivity. A harmony. The conditions are ideal for a new manager to begin stamping his own authority on proceedings.
The next few days will be vital. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that Ronaldo would be less than pleased with coming off the bench. However, now may be a good time to realize that he is not getting any younger and that the team comes first.
In an ideal world, should Ronaldo stay, he does not play more than once a week next season anyway — in order to preserve energy and be 100 percent effective in Ten Hag’s physically demanding system.
In addition, even a Ronaldo should have to prove himself to his teammates after spending the whole summer offering his services to every player but them. Everyone has their good books and Ronaldo is in none of them at the minute. He can’t be. Trust must be earned back.
On his day, is he in United’s current best XI? Absolutely. He can still offer tremendous impact in the final third with a nose for goal sharper than most in history.
But this is also the perfect opportunity for Ten Hag to assert his authoritative dominance and emphasize that nobody in the squad is untouchable. That there is no ‘I’ in ‘TEAM’.
In the recent past, that has been one of the biggest factors behind United’s downfalls — players thinking that they are guaranteed starting berth every week because of a lack of competition or whatever other reason.
As of right now, United are still trying to secure a few more signings in the transfer market. The depth is not where Ten Hag wants it to be but that is not a reason to be pushed around.
Ten Hag is keen on implementing his twist on discipline around Carrington. Many new rules are already in place and have had a positive impact. The next is that a place in the squad has to be earned not given, no matter who you are — and especially if you missed the whole preparation period.
The starting role as United’s No. 9 should be Martial’s to lose.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Manchester United, Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours, Anthony Martial, Erik Ten Hag, Football