Ronaldo the past, Garnacho the future: CR7 flops on Man Utd return

FT Desk

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:46 CDT
• 4 min read

Cristiano Ronaldo endured a forgettable return to the Manchester United line-up as he was hauled off at half-time during the 1-1 friendly draw with Rayo Vallecano.

Ronaldo was making his first appearance of pre-season after belatedly returning to Manchester earlier this week.

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He was installed into the starting XI in new manager Erik ten Hag’s first-ever game at Old Trafford and enjoyed a good reception from fans.

However, Ronaldo was way off the pace in the opening 45 minutes as he was deployed as the lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

He rarely got involved in the play, lacked the pace to get away from defenders and created nothing for himself or his teammates.

And the one big chance that fell his way he missed. He was slipped in on goal by Donny van de Beek but blazed his left-footed shot high and wide.

If Ronaldo represents the past at Manchester United, then Alejandro Garnacho certainly represents the future…and maybe even the present.

Garnacho the future for Man Utd

The 18-year-old, who has been labelled 'the new Ronaldo', lit up the game on the left wing with his silky skills, speed and tricky dribbling. He beat his man on a number of occasions and was comfortably the best player on the pitch.

Garnacho looks like a player with the ability to go very far in the game and he was given a standing ovation when he came off in the second half.

As for Ronaldo, his future remains massively in doubt.

The 37-year-old has, of course, requested to leave Man Utd and his agent Jorge Mendes is still searching for a Champions League club who will make a concrete offer.

Based on Sunday’s performance – even if it should be recognised that Ronaldo is short on match-fitness having missed the pre-season tour – they won’t miss him that much.

It was Garnacho and Christian Eriksen – who again impressed after a brilliant cameo on Saturday against Atletico Madrid – who stood out.

United eventually took the lead early in the second half through substitute Amad Diallo, who came on for Ronaldo.

Veteran Rayo striker Radamel Falcao smashed the ball off the bar before Alvaro Garcia equalised near the hour mark.

Both teams had chances thereafter to win it but the game finished 1-1 in what was a fair result overall.