New signings making Ronaldo's Man Utd stay more likely
FT Desk
- 19 Sept 2022 21:02 BST
- 3 min read
Cristiano Ronaldo may not be starting many games for Manchester United of late, but his dressing room relationship with Antony and Lisandro Martinez is a cause for optimism.
Ronaldo wanted to leave United this summer in pursuit of Champions League football, and the Red Devils looked content to move on, spending more than €240 million on new players, €165m of which went to Ajax for Antony and Martinez.
Ronaldo couldn't find any viable takers for his services, though, and he has stayed at Old Trafford, albeit under a cloud. The Portuguese has only started three games under Erik ten Hag, and it is widely believed that either Chelsea or a club from Saudi Arabia could give him a way out.
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored in 15 club competitions:
🇪🇺 Champions League
🇪🇺 Europa League
🇪🇺 Super Cup
🌍 Club World Cup
🏴 Premier League
🏴 FA Cup
🏴 EFL Cup
🇮🇹 Serie A
🇮🇹 Coppa Italia
🇮🇹 Supercoppa
🇪🇸 La Liga
🇪🇸 Copa del Rey
🇪🇸 Supercopa
🇵🇹 Primeira Liga
🇵🇹 Taca de Portugal pic.twitter.com/C976qzH5qK— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) September 16, 2022
While Ronaldo now has fellow former Real Madrid stars Raphael Varane and Casemiro for company in the Old Trafford dressing room, it is the former Ajax pair who are doing the most to keep him at the club.
Antony was effusive about Ronaldo in a recent interview with Man Utd's official website.
Ronaldo 'the best in the world'
"I've come to help my teammates," he said. "Regardless of age, there's immense talent in all the players. Words can't describe Cristiano, the best in the world. In just a few days, I've learnt a lot from him. He has an extraordinary mind and, whenever I talk to him, I take a lot from it.
"I'm sure that we have a strong attack and it's very promising for the future."
Ronaldo scored his first goal of the season as United beat Sheriff Tiraspol 2-0 in the Europa League last Thursday, and Martinez revealed the legend's nickname on Instagram soon after.
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"El bichoooo", he wrote, which translates to "the Bug" in English. Whilst it isn't yet clear why Ronaldo has developed this moniker, it is obvious that Martinez, like Antony, likes having Ronaldo around.
"We know how big Cristiano Ronaldo's goals are," he said. "It's very important that he scored for his confidence and for the team."
Ronaldo might still leave in pursuit of Champions League records, more playing time, more money, or any combination of the three, but with his contract expiring next summer, Red Devils fans will be relieved that the new players have grown so fond of him so quickly.
