Cristiano Ronaldo tipped for awkward Man Utd comeback by former team-mate despite having contract ripped up
CRISTIANO RONALDO has been tipped to continue his love affair with Manchester United.
The Portuguese sensation arrived at Old Trafford as a teenager and left the world’s most expensive player when he joined Real Madrid in 2009.
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He returned in 2021 for a short-lived spell that ultimately ended with him leaving by mutual consent after blasting the club in an interview with Piers Morgan.
Ronaldo, 39, is currently playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
And former team-mate Louis Saha thinks a third move to Old Trafford is on the cards – but in the dugout this time.
He told TVSporten: “Cristiano Ronaldo has the passion and dedication to return to Manchester United one day. That could be as a coach or even a manager.
“His second spell didn’t end how everyone had hoped, and you can see why that frustrated him.
“He didn’t see the same formula and didn’t see the passion from young players that he had been used to seeing.”
Ronaldo has scored 145 times in 346 games across two spells at United.
His criticism of Erik ten Hag and the attitude of younger players cast a shadow over his return.
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But 27 goals in 54 games highlighted his ability to make an impact as a veteran and he is a hugely popular figure with fans.
Saha thinks Ronaldo could be a talented coach but must work on his communication skills.
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Ivan Toney was left out of Brentford’s opening match of the 2024/25 Premier League season due to transfer interest from elsewhere.
Newcastle have reportedly made a fourth bid worth £65million for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.
Chelsea are in talks with Atletico Madrid regarding a permanent move for Joao Felix.
Should an agreement be reached, it could resurrect the sale of Conor Gallagher to the Spanish giants.
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He added: “Now he will know that he needs to find a new way to communicate when he becomes a coach.
“Which maybe isn’t as harsh or direct as it was when he was at the club.
“He will work out how to be successful and use all his knowledge to do that.
“We’ve seen Roy Keane go into management and have success. Cristiano will understand what he needs to do as a manager. I see no reason why he wouldn’t be a success.”
Cristiano Ronaldo's red cards
Ronaldo picked up his 12th career red card against Al-Hilal
- Aston Villa vs MAN UTD (2004) – Yellow cards for diving and chipping goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen after the whistle had gone.
- Man City vs MAN UTD (2006) – Straight red card for a high tackle on former United legend Andy Cole, of all people.
- Portsmouth vs MAN UTD (2007) – Straight red card for headbutting midfielder Richard Hughes.
- Man City vs MAN UTD (2008) – Yellow card for a cynical foul on Shaun Wright-Phillips, second yellow for a deliberate handball.
- REAL MADRID vs Almeria (2009) – Ronaldo’s first home red card. One yellow for taking his shirt off to celebrate a goal. A second yellow for aiming a kick at midfielder Juanma Ortiz.
- REAL MADRID vs Malaga (2010) – Straight red card for a stray elbow which fractured defender Patrick Mtiliga’s nose. Ronaldo said afterwards: “If he wasn’t 5 foot 6, I might have caught him in the chest.”
- REAL MADRID vs Atletico Madrid (2013) – Ronaldo received a straight red card for a high kick in Atleti captain Gabi’s face as Real lost the Copa del Rey final 2-1 on home soil.
- Athletic Bilbao vs REAL MADRID (2014) – Straight red card for striking an opponent in the face during a skirmish before a corner.
- Cordoba vs REAL MADRID (2015) – Straight red card for kicking left-back Edimar and pushing centre-back Jose Angel Crespo
- Barcelona vs REAL MADRID (2017) – Ronaldo made it a red card in the Manchester derby, Madrid derby and El Clasico in the 2017 Spanish Super Cup. The Portugal star received yellow cards for removing his shirt to celebrate a goal at the Nou Camp and diving. He made matters worse by aiming a slight push at the referee after getting sent off.
- Valencia vs JUVENTUS (2018) – Controversial red card after defender Jeison Murillo threw himself to the ground as the pair jostled for position.
- Al-Hilal vs AL-NASSR (2024) – Little doubt about this one as Ronaldo appeared to swing his elbow twice at defender Ali Al-Bulayhi.