Written by Manchester United finally announced the official resigning of Cristiano Ronaldo back to the Premier League. The player signed a new contract deal that will run for a period of two years. This is after the speculations that the player was heading to Manchester City. Reports indicated that the former Red Devils Manager Sir Alex Ferguson played a major role in bringing Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford.
He is a world Champion and his arrival will have some impact on some players. There are several players who will be affected in one way or another. The first causality will be Edinson Cavani. He plays as a striker for the club but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been using Mason Greenwood this season because of his form. The arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo may even make him to stay on the bench for a very long time.
He may even be reduced to be just playing regularly in the other domestic competitions like the EFL Cup and the Emirates FA Cup. This is because, the legendary Portuguese captain cannot be put on the bench in order to accommodate him. They can only play together when the Manager decides to use Christiano as a winger and use Edinson Cavani as the main centre forward.
Jadon Sancho will also be affected by Cristiano’s return. He was just signed this season from Borrussia Dortmund. He is also a winger just like the Portuguese player, but he is still young and has many more years to still play football. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may overlook him and go for a player who is more experienced in that position. Jadon Sancho has also not fully adapted to Manchester United.
It is always very difficult to come from another league and especially the Bundesliga, and adapt quickly in England. A very recent example is Timo Werner of Chelsea. He is still looking for the bearing in order for him to join the dots and know how the Premier League operates. He openly admitted that the two Leagues are way apart and he admitted that the English Premier League is sophiscated. Sancho may be given time to prove himself at Old Trafford before he gets a good number of games under his name.
Amad Diallo is another player who will really suffer because of the introduction of Cristiano Ronaldo. He is a very young winger and he is being considered as a member of the future squad of the club. He was supposed to go on loan but the deal collapsed because of his injury. This alone is an indication that there is no place for him in the current squad. That is why the Manager wanted to take him on loan so that he can get more playing time in another club. Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival will not give him peace at all.
Marcus Rashford may also be affected by Cristiano Ronaldo’s return. He is a versatile player just like the Portguese captain. They can both play as wingers and as centre forwards. Rashford has not played this season and therefore it is evident that Christiano Ronaldo will be played ahead of him. It may take him some time to recover fully and also regain back his confidence. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can also not put the Red Devils legend on the bench. There is however a possibility that both of them can be played together either as wingers or one as a centre forward. That formation can work out well and they can blend well and even rotate their positions, because of their versatility and ability to play more than one position. The Manchester United fans can really love to see the combination of Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford.
Anthony Martial may also be greatly affected by the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo. He has failed to live up to his potential. The Manager has given him the platform and the opportunity to prove himself but he has not taken his chances well. He plays well as a central striker. He may be overlooked and his position may be given to another player. He may continue to stay on the bench until he proves that he perform better than the other players.
It will be very difficult for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to choose Anthony Martial over Cristiano Ronaldo who is a good finisher and has won very many trophies. Martial may stay on the bench for some time so that he may learn from the players who are currently in a good form as compared to him.
Jesse Lingard may also find a very hard time in penetrating in the first team. He has been struggling under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for game time. Cristiano Ronaldo’s return may even complicate issues further. He may barely feature in the Premier League. He may also be just made to play in the other domestic competitions. He is however a good player and he proved that last season when he was taken on loan to West Ham United. He really performed well and he also assisted the club to qualify for the Europa League.
Mason Greenwood may also be affected in one way or another. He is also a utility player just like Cristiano Ronaldo. He may not play in and out as he has been doing this season. The Manager can also play them together so that he can learn from the legend himself. They may be alternated and this may deny the England international player some game time.
Bruno Fernandes may also be affected in some way. He has been the one taking penalties and free kicks for the club. He may be forced to surrender those duties to his international teammate. This will now deprive him the opportunity and privileges that he used to have earlier. Cristiano Ronaldo has been the one taking the penalties even for the Portugal National team. He will obviously leave that role for him because he is his senior and he is a legend not only at Manchester United but also the whole world.