Why Cristiano Ronaldo Still Loves Manchester United Despite Fallout
Cristiano Ronaldo received accolades and appreciation during his stint at the club. He won the Ballon d’Or award and no Manchester United player has won since then.
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Cristiano Ronaldo joined Manchester United in 2003 as a teenager in his formative years. Old Trafford provided him the player to become one of the living legends of football. The Portuguese took full advantage of the opportunity at the Theatre of Dreams as he announced himself to the world.
It’s Only Love For Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo received accolades and appreciation during his stint at the club. He won the Ballon d’Or award and no United player has won since then.
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After seven years of spell with the Red Devils, the striker left the club to join Real Madrid only to return in 2021. He played a season for Manchester United in his second season after remaining away for some 12 years from the club where he first rose to fame.
Ronaldo returned for less than £20m and walked back into Premier League football like he had never left, netting 18 goals and registering three assists in his first campaign back.
In that season, Ronaldo topped United’s list of scorers. He scored a couple of hat-tricks and a number of crucial last minute goals.
However, the arrival of new boss, Erik ten Hag, changed the dynamics. Ronaldo fell out in favour of the new manager as he refused to come on against Spurs in October 2022, prompting Ten Hag to drop him from the squad for the following game against Chelsea.
Things turned uglier when in an interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo potshot at Ten Hag, work culture at Manchester United and hinted about a potential exit. He said he felt “betrayed” by United, hit out at both Erik ten Hag and Ralf Rangnick and said “zero” progress had been made during the 12 years since his first spell.
Next up, his contract was terminated in November 2022 and sought for a new destination at a Saudi Club.
Also Read: The Greatest Footballers Of All Time: A Legendary Lineup
Despite the turbulence he faced at Manchester United, the five-time Bollon d’Or winner said that still has a soft corner for the club he grew up in.
“We cannot control some points of our lives sometimes but it’s done, it’s already done.
“I repeat I still love Manchester United and I wish them the best.”
Ronaldo said these words to former teammate Rio Ferdinand during an interview.
Cristiano Ronaldo won his first Champions League and maiden Bollon d’Or with Manchester United. He made 346 appearances for the Red Devils scoring 103 goals.