Cristiano Ronaldo has 20 reasons to leave Manchester United after Middlesbrough defeat
In pictures: Man Utd v Middlesbrough
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As Cristiano Ronaldo turns 37, the Manchester United star won’t be in the mood for birthday celebrations. Friday night’s FA Cup defeat to Middlesbrough was a blow for the Red Devils, with the club seeing yet another trophy pass them by. So, as the Portugal international enters another year of his glittering career that has spanned two decades, Express Sport takes a look at 20 reasons why he’d be right to leave the club for a second time.
1. No chemistry
Time and time again Ronaldo makes darting runs, only for his team-mates to fail to find him. This was evident against Boro, with the forward frustrated time and time again.
2. He’s not captain
As United players prepared to take penalties in the shootout, Ronaldo was encouraging his team-mates while Harry Maguire adopted a calmer tactic of simply muttering words in their ears. He’s not captain but he probably should be.
3. The club has changed
When Ronaldo first played for United, the club were able to compete for every trophy. Certainly, that’s no longer the case.
4. Age is catching up
Ronaldo isn’t the forward he first was during his time at Old Trafford and he may choose to quit the Premier League while he’s ahead.
5. There’s no Ole
Ronaldo returned to United to play under former team-mate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He doesn’t enjoy the same luxuries under Ralf Rangnick, which is yet another problem.
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6. United are a stylistic problem
United are still yet to work out their best system or their best XI under Rangnick. That uncertainty doesn’t help anybody.
7. His wage creates an issue
Ronaldo earns in the region of £400,000-a-week. That means the club faces having to pay big money to keep his team-mates on side and that represents yet another issue, leading to problems behind the scenes.
8. Old Trafford isn’t harmonious
United aren’t the happy camp they used to be. There are cliques behind the scenes, in stark contrast to the days where Sir Alex Ferguson ruled the roost.
9. He’s an odd one out
Ronaldo is potentially a hindrance, rather than a help. United like to play with speed but the veteran has lost that particular trait, though his goalscoring remains admirable.
10. Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea
It will take years for United to catch up, never mind better, the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea. Ronaldo doesn’t have years left in him.
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11. The Glazers
While United are managed by the Glazers, they’ll be held back. Ronaldo likes the club to show ambition but their failure to sign a midfielder in January, despite having the finances to do so, shows what their stance is.
12. Uncertainty over the summer
United still don’t know who their next manager will be. Ronaldo could be deemed surplus to requirements by whoever takes over from Rangnick.
13. The goals are drying up
Ronaldo isn’t scoring with the potency he used to. The Premier League is a tricky league and the veteran may be tempted to take on an easier challenge instead.
14. No FA Cup
United needed to go deep into the FA Cup to improve their season. That now won’t be happening after the defeat to Boro.
15. There will be suitors
Ronaldo will have suitors if he does leave United. He could join Paris Saint-Germain to replace Kylian Mbappe, while clubs in the MLS would also be interested in snapping him up.
16. United need a new generation to step up
United finished second without Ronaldo last term but that won’t be repeated this time around. A new generation is waiting to step up and the 37-year-old may believe it’s best he leaves to allow them to take centre stage.
17. It could get worse
United’s season could actually get worse. They face a big fight to finish in the top four and failure to win the Champions League would be yet another blow.
18. Europa League or UEFA Conference League?
If things do indeed get worse, that may mean United playing in the Europa League or UEFA Conference League next term. Ronaldo, given his obsession with the Champions League, will see playing in either as a stain on his record.
19. Regret
One thing that may trigger Ronaldo leaving United is regret. He could, and perhaps should, have gone to Manchester City when he had the chance. At least he’d have added another Premier League title to his impressive CV.
20. United aren’t winners anymore
It’s going to be six years since United last won a trophy. They’ve lost their winning DNA and Ronaldo, for all of his own, can’t turn things around all by himself.
When Ronaldo first left United
Back in 2009, Ronaldo won the Premier League and EFL Cup with United.
However, after a 2-0 Champions League final defeat to Barcelona, he then decided to quit the club and join Real Madrid.
It was a deal that had been a year in the making, with Los Blancos previously missing out on the Portugal international in 2008.
Ronaldo was paraded in front of a full Bernabeu stadium.
And he didn’t disappoint, scoring a ridiculous 450 goals from 438 appearances before leaving for Juventus in 2009.
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