Morata’s majestic form ruins Ronaldo swap deal?
Karan Tejwani
- 16 Aug 2022 09:59 BST
- 3 min read
Manchester United have been looking for a forward in the remaining days of the transfer window, and have lined up Alvaro Morata as a potential option for the role.
The Red Devils have Anthony Martial and Cristiano Ronaldo as their only two forward options – Martial is suffering with injury issues, and Ronaldo wants to leave the club in the coming weeks.
Ronaldo made his desire to leave the club clear earlier in the summer, missing the club’s pre-season tour and his desire to leave will have been intensified by United’s losses in their opening two Premier League matches.
The club also haven’t received any serious offers for the player, but Atletico Madrid and Diego Simeone were interested in bringing him over to the Spanish capital.
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As a result, it was believed at one point that Morata and Ronaldo could swap clubs this summer, in a deal which sees all four parties get what they want.
Morata form could alter plans
However, Atletico Madrid and Morata’s plans may change after the Spanish forward’s recent form, where he’s been able to show his qualities in recent weeks.
Morata spent the last season on loan at Juventus and while rumours of his exit were rife a few weeks ago, he has begun the season with Simeone’s side, and his form has improved drastically.
In pre-season, he was working hard and even scored a hat-trick in a friendly against Juventus, which prompted Simeone to give him the start when the season began.
What a run and what a goal by Álvaro Morata! 😍🔝 pic.twitter.com/d4fwhWPvfl
— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) August 7, 2022
That faith has been rewarded as well: Atletico Madrid won their opening La Liga game against Getafe 3-0, with Morata scoring twice, once in each half.
Simeone too, was full of praise for his display when he was asked about the player’s future, and admitted that he would be happy to keep him with the team.
“I am not the owner of the club, I am the coach. Morata is doing very well, he has been working in an extraordinary way and all of us who are with him today hope that he can continue with us, of course.”
Simeone added later on, appreciating the forward’s desire: “He came with a lot of humility, wanting to work, without demanding anything, but making an effort to have this form.”
In the last few weeks of the window, it’s difficult to predict where Ronaldo will be playing his football: offers are limited, and the apparent best option already has a forward who is firing.
