Ronaldo's Man Utd U-turn after Casemiro transfer
FT Desk
- 21 Aug 2022 07:51 CDT
- 3 min read
Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly ready to settle down at Manchester United this season following the arrival of his former Real Madrid teammate Casemiro.
Ronaldo has cut a frustrated figure at United this season, and snubbed his manager Erik ten Hag at the conclusion of last Saturday's disappointing 4-0 loss at Brentford.
The Portuguese superstar handed in a transfer request earlier in the summer, wanting to extend his record 140 goals in the Champions League rather than help United navigate their way through the Europa League.
These old Casemiro quotes will make Manchester United fans happy 👹https://t.co/LPO3a3PWLy
— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) August 20, 2022
But offers from Champions League clubs have not been forthcoming, and the arrival of Casemiro at least offers Red Devils' fans some more hope of a quick return to the competition they have won three times.
"Cristiano will accept staying at Manchester United," Portuguese journalist Pedro Almeida tweeted. "Casemiro's arrival was important for the decision."
Real Madrid old boys' network
United now have three former Real Madrid players in their ranks, with Ronaldo and Casemiro joined by Raphael Varane.
The three were part of Real's unchanged starting line-up when they won three consecutive Champions Leagues between 2016 and 2018, and the squad already looks stronger as a result of the Brazilian's arrival.
Casemiro averaged three tackles, clearances and aerial challenges won per 90 minutes last season, and he remains a significant upgrade on Scott McTominay and Fred in front of the defence, even if he turns 31 this season.
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Ronaldo was also reportedly previously disappointed with United's business in the summer transfer window, with the club struggling to attract Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong as a replacement for Paul Pogba, who re-joined Juventus on a free.
Antony's €100m arrival from Ajax appears to be edging closer, though, after the Brazilian was excluded from their squad to take on Sparta Rotterdam on Saturday.
There is still much work to be done - United remain rooted to the foot of the Premier League table ahead of Monday's meeting with Liverpool - but with Ronaldo and Casemiro pulling in the same direction, there could be light at the end of the tunnel.
