Cristiano Ronaldo’s shocking interview with Piers Morgan may have taken the football world by surprise, but it was, in many ways, predictable..
Ronaldo had previously stated that he would speak “his truth” following the Brentford debacle in August. As the weeks and months passed, it appeared as if he had forgotten about it, but it appears that he has been plotting.
The fact that the interview was announced just hours after the victory over Fulham took some of the luster off the three points. However, with six weeks of non-competitive football ahead for Manchester United, it should not derail the season in the same way it could have if it had happened earlier..
The 37-year-old now heads to Qatar, insisting that he is completely focused on Portugal, but he would be lying if he said he is not keeping half an eye on the reaction in England. According to all accounts, this situation with Ronaldo will only end with the forward leaving the club.
He is not currently receiving the playing time he believes he is entitled to, and as such, Erik ten Hag will be relieved to see him leave the club. If Ronaldo leaves in January, as is expected, there are two players who will benefit immediately..
The first is Alejandro Garnacho. The teenager’s talent has long been known, but since his arrival at Old Trafford, he appears to have grown from strength to strength.
Garnacho was given a 20-minute cameo on Sunday in order to help his team win the game. His calm finish in stoppage time at Craven Cottage was just reward for a fantastic few weeks for the youngster.
Without Ronaldo at United, the forward would have one less name in front of him, and his stock would rise. In the absence of the 37-year-old, he should see even more playing time, and regular minutes will only help his development..
Anthony Martial is the second player who stands to benefit from Ronaldo’s departure. Martial has evolved into a completely different player since Ten Hag’s arrival.
His goals and assists have been crucial for the Reds, but there are still some concerns about the Frenchman. Martial’s injury record this season has been concerning, and if he is to benefit from Ronaldo’s departure, he must avoid the medical room.
Leave a Reply