After leaving in 2009, there has been a lingering question if Cristiano Ronaldo would return to Old Trafford. For many years, we saw him conquer everywhere and reach unimaginable heights, winning four champions league titles since he left. Undoubtedly, it has been an incredible run for the play since he left, and he was set for the FIFA World Cup 2022 schedule.
When it was announced that Ronaldo would move to Manchester City in the 2021/2022 season, every fan was sad and angry. It was marked as betrayal for a legend of the red side of Manchester to move to the blue side. Therefore, more people were against the move, and eventually, Manchester United put in a bid for CR7.
As a result of this move, Manchester United became a hub for the player, and during the summer, it was sure that we would see CR7 play for the Red Devils again. The anticipation was incredible, and the expectation was high. Therefore, it would take time for the fans to adjust to seeing Ronaldo wear the red jersey again.
The homecoming was a massive announcement, but we believed it became a big problem when fans expected peak Ronaldo despite being 36 at the time. He wasn’t given time to adapt and adjust. Therefore, everyone felt he should be the one to take United out of the rut they were currently in.
With the first season done, was Cristiano Ronaldo’s return worth it, or does the team and player need to part ways for a different future? Here is what we think about CR7’s first season back at Old Trafford.
Also Read – Cristiano Ronaldo demands his Manchester United contract to be terminated
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Overall Performance and Stats
Since the start of the season with Manchester United, the team has improved their output. However, it wasn’t enough to push them out of the rut. In the first season, we saw a much more mature and experienced Ronaldo than the one that played at Old Trafford many years ago. The difference was clear.
We saw that the team improved until everything went bad, and even Ronaldo’s performance dropped. However, at the end of the season, he produced 20+ goals and assists for the team, beating every other player on the team. In addition, he was the third-highest goal scorer in the league.
He was only beaten by Salah and Son, who ended the season on the same number of goals. Aside from goals, he created chances for the team, but due to bad finishing from other teammates, those efforts were not perfectly represented. Overall, CR7 did well for the team, and even at 36, he produced a high-level performance and stats.
Accolades and Trophies
Ronaldo’s performance gave him a few accolades as he played for Manchester United again. The player delivered on so many levels as he scored a lot of goals for the team. He was one of the best players in the team throughout the season, showing how abysmal the entire setup was with the two coaches.
Because the entire team struggled and the coaches did not find a solution fast, United missed out yet again on another chance to win a trophy and end the drought. It became CR7’s first season without a trophy for many years, ending a very long streak. It even got worse as the team missed out on the UCL spot.
Undoubtedly, CR7 did his bit for the team as he delivered on the goals and became one of the highest-scoring players in the league. As a 37-year-old forward, there were several restrictions to his moves, but he was able to deliver at the highest level, and we can’t deny that he was the best outfield player on the team.
Missing Out on the 2022/2023 UCL Campaign
One of the biggest pains after not winning any trophy was missing out on the UCL campaign for the following season. It would be Ronaldo’s first season out of the Champions League since he came to England in 2003. The player has been participating in and winning the competition for more than a decade.
The only way to save face and avoid missing the campaign is to move to another team, but that would defeat the whole challenge drive he preaches. Therefore, there is a very high chance that we will see Ronaldo play in the UEFA Europa League for the first time in his entire career. Undoubtedly, it is a difficult thing to watch.
Our Thoughts
Cristiano Ronaldo’s performance in the first season wasn’t bad, especially for a 37-year-old. However, the fans and pundits expected more because of his past records and what he has shown that he can do with a ball.
Hence, the high criticism of the player. Undoubtedly, looking at the player objectively, he is an incredible player and his first season’s performance was excellent.
