Returning to the club where he became a household name, can 36-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo drive Manchester United to its first EPL title in nine seasons?
It was the deadline signing to end all deadline signings.
Cristiano Ronaldo, seemingly about to leave Juventus and sign with Manchester City, instead headed back to the club he arrived at as an 18-year old — Manchester United. It’s the club he first experienced all the ‘firsts’ of his career. His first domestic League. His first cup. His first call to the Portuguese National team. His first Champions League, and first Ballon d’Or. “They were all born from this special connection between me and the Red Devils,” he said this week on Instagram.
But while the romance of the favourite-son-returns-home narrative is unquestioned, his ability to return United back to the top of English football very much is. Will he make Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side a better team? Do they now have what it takes to fight with crosstown rivals City?
Whatever your thoughts, the markets indicate he might. Despite an unconvincing 1-0 win over Wolves on the weekend, United have shortened from $8 into $6.50 EPL title hopes in the last week.
Good morning, Reds 👋#MUFC | @Cristiano pic.twitter.com/sXQV4bjW67
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 1, 2021
Will individual success equal team success?
One thing we know about Ronaldo is that he will score goals. The 36-year-old retains the fitness of a striker 10 years his junior, and his unmatched record means he will undoubtedly hit the scoreboard. In fact, after Man United completed his signing, he was immediately priced as a $6.00 third-favourite for this season’s EPL top scorer award (behind Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku at $4.20 and Liverpool’s Mo Salah at $4.50). What’s more, Ronaldo has launched straight into PFA Player of the Year favouritism, at $7.00 with Palmerbet.
But firstly, will that translate to team success? Last season, for example, Ronaldo finished five clear as the Serie A top scorer with 29 goals. But Juventus were well off the pace in the league, finishing in fourth — a staggering 13 points behind Inter Milan. And while alone was not responsible for their downfall, many have argued Juve stagnated with him in the side.
And secondly, will his signing propel them above City ($2.00 title favourites with Palmerbet) and Chelsea ($3.30)? United legend Gary Neville doesn’t think so. “I made the prediction that it would (finish) Manchester City, Chelsea and (then) Manchester United and I’m not going to change that because I don’t think the Ronaldo signing makes them a better team than Chelsea, who were the Champions League winners last season, and Manchester City, who were 20 points clear,” Neville said. There was, however, some optimism. “Absolutely it brings them closer to winning the (EPL) title. Do I think they will win the title at this point? No I don’t. But now I’m more excited about Manchester United challenging for the title than I was maybe five or six days ago.”
On Saturday, Gary Neville spoke about Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival at Manchester United and what it means for the title race
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 31, 2021
A stunning window for United
Whatever your thoughts on Ronaldo’s impact, it’s hard to deny United had an incredible transfer window. While they didn’t address their midfield issue (that is, a defensive option), they’ve certainly strengthened the squad. By bringing in one of the world’s greatest ever players, one of the world’s best centre-backs in Raphael Varane and one of the world’s most exciting youngsters in Jadon Sancho, they’ve put themselves in a position to compete for the EPL title. And compared with recent seasons, that’s something that will put a smile on the Old Trafford faithful.
With Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho through the door, what are the expectations for #MUFC this season?
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 1, 2021
(*Prices correct at 12pm Thursday September 2)
