Cristiano Ronaldo to be handed unexpected Man Utd chance
FT Desk
- 30 Sep 2022 05:23 CDT
- 3 min read
Cristiano Ronaldo's only Premier League start this season came in August's 4-0 humiliation at Brentford…
Ronaldo has looked something of a persona non grata at United this season.
He pushed for a move away from the club after they failed to qualify for the Champions League, and when that failed to materialise his petulant behaviour didn't go down well.
Ronaldo stormed past Erik ten Hag after the Brentford game, and Marcus Rashford has been preferred up front since, with United putting together a four-match undefeated run - including victories over Liverpool and Arsenal - since.
🤬 Angry Ronaldo snubs Ten Hagpic.twitter.com/wFI3tck1ci
— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) August 13, 2022
But Ronaldo could be set to lead the line against Manchester City when the sides meet in the 162nd edition of their local derby on Sunday.
Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are still working their way back from injury, and Ronaldo - who scored his first goal of the season from the penalty spot against Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League two weeks ago - should start.
Nearly so different
Ronaldo nearly joined City last summer, but instead returned to Old Trafford out of loyalty to his former manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.
"For me, Sir Alex Ferguson is like a father in football for me," Ronaldo explained at the time. "He helped me a lot, he taught me many things, and in my opinion of course he had a big role because the relationship that we had, we keep in touch all the time, and he's an unbelievable person.
"I really like him a lot and he was the main key for me to be in the position that I am, that I signed for Manchester United."
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Harry Maguire is also missing for United on Sunday, the under-fire defender having picked up a muscular injury while on international duty with Italy.
Ronaldo can write another chapter in his United history with a goal against City, but it nonetheless seems we're on the final page of his Old Trafford career.
A bumper bid from Saudi Arabia could turn his head in one of the upcoming transfer windows, assuming a Champions League club doesn't take a gamble on the 37-year-old.
