Cristiano Ronaldo: What his Man Utd future really depends upon
Robin Bairner
- 4 Feb 2022 18:36 GMT
- 3 min read
Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Manchester United is said to hinge on the identity of the club’s next manager.
Ronaldo only returned to Old Trafford in the summer following three years at Juventus, in which he enjoyed personal success only to see the greatest silverware – the Champions League title – elude him.
At Man Utd, the idea was the veteran forward would lead the club back to the summit of the European game but instead they are scrapping for a Champions League spot along with the likes of Arsenal and West Ham – clubs they were thought to be far better armed than when the season began.
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Consequently, Ronaldo’s happiness at the club is under question and a report from ESPN suggests that his future could lie with the next boss.
How likely is this to be the case though?
Will Man Utd’s next manager decide Ronaldo’s future?
Given his status in the game, Ronaldo is unlikely to be overlooked by any manager while he continues to make a strong contribution to the team in terms of goals.
When Ralf Rangnick arrived at the club, there was a fear his pressing game might stifle Ronaldo or see him sidelined, yet the former Schalke head coach insisted he was happy to make room for the Portuguese, even if he did hint that he saw him as a luxury member of his ranks.
So Ronaldo is unlikely to be chased from Man Utd by a coach who does not want him.
What about a manager, then, that Ronaldo does not want?
This is perhaps a likelier scenario, though a club of Man Utd’s standing should be able to land a manager of such stature that he commands the respect of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner. By waiting until the summer, the Red Devils should just about have their pick of the game’s elite bosses, with only a handful of obvious exceptions.
No Champions League, no Ronaldo?
Ronaldo, though, is likelier to leave if the project is failing. If Man Utd are cast into the Europa League next season, it is easier to see him leaving for one final crack of the Champions League than hanging around to play in the secondary competition.
Lying fourth in the Premier League table, the Old Trafford side look favourites to reach the elite competition next season, but they are by no means guaranteed in it, especially as Arsenal and Tottenham have games in hand.
Certainly, he appeared content to leave Juventus in the summer when it became apparent they were unable to immediately content for the biggest honours either at home or abroad.
Ronaldo’s future at Man Utd likelier hinges on that than whether Rangnick or another is managing the team.
