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Tag: Ronaldo

  • Juve couldn’t build team around Ronaldo – Del Piero

    Juve couldn’t build team around Ronaldo – Del Piero

    Juventus great Alessandro del Piero has criticised his old club for not making the most of Cristiano Ronaldo during his three seasons in Turin.

    Del Piero has weighed into the debate after seeing Ronaldo’s two-goal return for Manchester United on Saturday.

    He wrote for La Gazzetta dello Sport: “It is essential to avoid making comparisons with previous seasons or making excuses with the market or with those who are no longer here. Count those who are here.

    “I don’t think we should talk about the fact that we are not prepared, we have to deal with reality. Obviously, he didn’t want to stay and paying such a high salary wouldn’t have been the best. I still think that Juventus’ attack can be very competitive.

    “Ronaldo is a champion and we had to sign him. But the problem was that the team couldn’t grow around the superstar. We often judged Cristiano’s performances almost independently of Juventus’ and it’s symptomatic that something didn’t work.

    “The results in European competitions were not up to the task, but if we think that Manchester City has not yet won a Champions League, we realise that investment is not always synonymous with victories.”

  • Solskjaer insists Ronald won’t play every game at Man Utd

    Solskjaer insists Ronald won’t play every game at Man Utd

    Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said Cristiano Ronaldo will not play every game, as he looks to manage the forward’s minutes.

    Ronaldo scored twice on his second debut as United defeated Newcastle 4-1 on Saturday.

    The 36-year-old seemed to lift the quality of players around him, but Solskjaer insists he has to be kept fresh.

    When Solskjaer was asked if it is impossible to leave Ronaldo out, he replied: “The thing with Cristiano is that he looks after himself so much so I know he will recover quickly and he has had a pre-season.

    “Of course it’s important that we get everyone up and running and to get him up and running and to give him 90 minutes.

    “Of course there is a game on Tuesday (against Young Boys). We will see what we do. But no, it’s not impossible to leave him out. He is 36, Mason [Greenwood] is 19, so it’s the same, I have to manage his minutes, and I have to manage a 36-year-old’s minutes as well.”

  • The difference between aliens Messi and Ronaldo

    The difference between aliens Messi and Ronaldo

    Besiktas midfielder Miralem Pjanic has been asked to compare former teammates Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

    Pjanic played with Manchester United striker Ronaldo at Juventus, while he was with PSG star Messi at Barcelona.

    He told Tuttsport: “I feel very lucky to have played with these two aliens like this is like a trophy.

    “They are different, Léo and Cris, but also very similar: they live for competition and victory, even in training. Cristiano takes care of every little detail, but don’t think Messi isn’t a hard worker.

    “Leo, however, has a unique gift: he does everything with extreme simplicity. Even penalties…”

  • Ronaldo has transformed club in matter of days – Robson

    Ronaldo has transformed club in matter of days – Robson

    Manchester United great Bryan Robson says Cristiano Ronaldo has lifted everyone connected to the club.

    After Ronaldo’s two-goal return for victory over Newcastle United, Robson wrote for the Daily Mail: “I’ve not sensed a buzz around Old Trafford like this since Eric Cantona arrived.

    “I turned up at the stadium at 11.45am on Saturday and it was already packed outside. Even afterwards, when fans have normally gone home, they were milling around still savouring the atmosphere. Programmes that are normally left unsold or left behind on tables in the lounges were all being snapped up just because they mark the day Cristiano returned.

    “I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many stewards protecting a player when he was doing pitchside interviews afterwards. Lots of fans had stayed behind hoping to get a glimpse of him or an autograph. It’s like a throwback to the glory days, he has given the place new-found belief.

    “What Cristiano showed on Saturday is exactly what he can change for this team.

    “Manchester United didn’t give a particularly startling performance but this guy will make a difference. He senses opportunities, he is clinical, he is a level above.

    “He has the charisma to captivate the crowd and lift them. The level of encouragement being received on Saturday was that normally afforded for opposition such as Liverpool, Manchester City or Chelsea.”

  • How Man Utd beat City to Ronaldo signing – Alex Ferguson

    How Man Utd beat City to Ronaldo signing – Alex Ferguson

    Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed Manchester United acted on Cristiano Ronaldo after learning Manchester City were close to signing him.

    Ronaldo looked to be on his way to Pep Guardiola’s side before United stepped in to secure a sensational deadline day move for the former Juventus and Real Madrid star.

    “I couldn’t imagine him playing for Manchester City – I don’t think anybody could,” Ferguson told Viaplay.

    “That’s why we made steps to ensure that he came here.

    “The club then followed him well, I spoke to the Glazers, and then it was done.”

    Ferguson also highlighted the many parties at Old Trafford were involved in bringing the five-time Ballon d’Or winner back to the club for the first time in 12 years.

    “A lot of people played their part,” said the legendary Scot.

    “I contributed a bit, but really Cristiano really wanted to come here, that was important – it worked very well.”

    He continued: “I think his impact will be among the young players in particular.

    “He’ll also have a huge impact on the fans as well of course.

    “I speak for all of supporters it’s a great day for United.”

    Ronaldo struck twice in victory over Newcastle United for Saturday’s personal ‘second’ United debut.

  • Cristiano Ronaldo scores brace on Man Utd return

    Cristiano Ronaldo scores brace on Man Utd return

    Cristiano Ronaldo hits double on Manchester United return against Newcastle on Saturday.

    TheNewsGuru reports that, the Premier League fixture sees Man Utd victorious in a 4-1 win at Old Trafford.

    Twelve years after he last scored for Manchester United in this stadium, Ronaldo broke the deadlock in first-half added time when he tapped in after visiting keeper Freddie Woodman spilled Mason Greenwood’s shot.

    Then, after former Liverpool defender Javier Manquillo had levelled with his first Newcastle goal, Ronaldo finished off a flowing move by racing onto Luke Shaw’s through ball and drilling a low shot through Woodman’s legs.

    His international team-mate Bruno Fernandes then rifled in the goal of the game as he collected Paul Pogba’s square pass and curled a shot into the top corner from the edge of the area. Substitute Jesse Lingard added a fourth in added time.

  • EPL: Cristiano Ronaldo starts on Man Utd return

    EPL: Cristiano Ronaldo starts on Man Utd return

    Cristiano Ronaldo has been named in Manchester United’s starting XI against Newcastle on Saturday – his first appearance for the club for 12 years.

    Ronaldo, who re-signed for the Red Devils last month from Juventus, last appeared for the club on 27 May 2009 before joining Real Madrid for £80m.

    The Portuguese, 36, scored 118 goals in 292 appearances in his first spell for Manchester United between 2003-09.

    Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo is wearing the number seven shirt.

    Full team:

    1 de Gea
    29 Wan-Bissaka
    19 Varane
    5 Maguire
    23 Shaw
    6 Pogba
    31 Matic
    11 Greenwood
    18 Bruno Fernandes
    25 Sancho
    7 Cristiano Ronaldo

  • Ronaldo no longer wanted to play for us – Allegri

    Ronaldo no longer wanted to play for us – Allegri

    Juventus coach Max Allegri insists they had no option but to sell Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United.

    The Portugal captain quit Juve a fortnight ago after their draw at Udinese.

    Allegri said today: “Cristiano no longer wanted to play for Juventus, he found the solution for United and so he went. However, it would have been the last year at Juventus, and so we anticipated that he would be done here in a year.

    “He had three wonderful years, I wish him the best, but now we have to look forward. Don’t think about what it was, it doesn’t make sense. In life you just have to do. Winning as a group? It’s everywhere like that and at Juventus even more. To be competitive and try to win you need to have great ambition, self-love and passion in what you do.”

  • Solskjaer confirms Ronaldo will feature against Newcastle

    Solskjaer confirms Ronaldo will feature against Newcastle

    Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed that returning star Cristiano Ronaldo will make his second Manchester United FC debut in Saturday’s Old Trafford homecoming against Newcastle United.

    The 36-year-old returned to the club he excelled for during six medal-laden seasons on deadline day, signing a two-year deal with the option of a further season.

    Ronaldo has been training with the club this week and will feature when Newcastle United arrive at a bouncing Old Trafford in Saturday’s eagerly-anticipated Premier League encounter.

    “He’s been having a good pre-season with Juventus, he’s played for the national team, and he’s had a good week with us here,” the Manchester United manager said on Friday.

    “He will definitely be on the pitch at some point, that’s for sure.”

    Asked about Ronaldo’s first few days back at the club, Solskjaer said: “Yeah, he’s been good.

    “Of course we’ve followed his career from afar since he left here and I think everyone’s very, very happy to have him back.

    “He can speak for himself, but he seems like he’s happy to be back as well.

    “The mood’s been very good, he’s worked well and we’re looking forward to Saturday, of course.”

    The Norwegian said onlookers were “confused” rather than him as the Portuguese adds a new level of quality to the squad, both physically and mentally.

    “We have grown as a group the last few years, I have to say,” Solskjaer said. “The determination, the desire, the focus has improved over time and bit by bit.

    “Even like bringing Raphael (Varane) in, he’s come in with a winner’s mentality, an unbelievable focus.

    “Then of course Cristiano comes in as well and there’s no place to hide when you’ve got winners like them. You can’t go into training and give 95 per cent or not being focused.

    “That’s what he demands of himself and of everyone else. So, it’s been great having him in.”

    Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce is hoping his players can spoil the former Real Madrid and Juventus star’s big afternoon.

    Bruce said: “It’s always going to be tough and obviously the added spice of Ronaldo coming back has added to it”.

    Manchester United’s recapture of Ronaldo has been the talk of football since news of their sensational swoop emerged a fortnight ago.

    So, Bruce is in little doubt as to what he will bring to the mix.

    He said: “You’re not going to be voted the best player in the world for… him and (Lionel) Messi have dominated that stage now for the last 15 years, is it?

    “He’s been quite a remarkable player, how he’s looked after himself. The goals he’s scored at every club he’s played for is quite remarkable.

    “That, quite rightly in my opinion, makes him the best player in the world. It’s a terrific signing by Manchester United.”

  • We’ll enjoy playing against Ronaldo and Man Utd – Newcastle boss

    We’ll enjoy playing against Ronaldo and Man Utd – Newcastle boss

    Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce has analysed the outcome of playing against Manchester United on Saturday.

    TheNewsGuru reports that, the Premier League fixture will mark Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford.

    Bruce said, “It’s always going to be tough. And obviously with the added spice of Ronaldo coming back will add to that. We’ll make no mistake we’ve got quality players all over the pitch.

    “So whenever you go to Old Trafford, the one thing you’re going to have to do is enjoy it, enjoy the challenge of playing against, you know, one of the big, big teams of this country and and relish the opportunity to go and see if we can spoil the party.”

    On Miguel Almiron’s availability, Bruce added: “It’s a difficult one for the players because the ultimate is to play for your country. They’ve been drawn into a difficult situation. However, a bit of common sense has prevailed and he’s available for selection so we’re extremely pleased.”