Cristiano Ronaldo made his return to Premier League action last week, and the Portuguese superstar stole the show when scoring two goals in his second debut for Manchester United.
But as we look into the future of EPL results and league positioning, how much weight will CR7s return to Old Trafford raise the squad’s potential? Join us in previewing Ronaldo and the fortune of Manchester United through the eyes of football’s legends.
And it’s hard to disagree with the former England striker when Ronaldo has already bagged three goals in three games.
Sheringham, who owns the record as the oldest player to score a Premier League hattrick, believes that Ronaldo will continue his impressive scoring form.
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“I think he can keep it up,” Sheringham told reporters.
“Once you get past 36, with the ups and downs of the Premier League, it’s tough being kicked and getting yourself up for the next game.
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“But he knows what it’s all about and knows how to score a goal – he’s going to be alright.
“The main thing when you get to 33 or 34 is to make sure that you’re not carrying any weight, and he’s definitely not doing that. He’s also not had any significant injuries, and he’s still got the desire. Those three things are massive if you want to carry on playing.
“It’s got nothing to do with the money. He wants to enjoy getting the most out of his body and getting the most out of his career. I can see him carrying on like this throughout the season, next season and possibly even until he’s 39 as well.”
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Ronaldo was the icing on the cake during a busy transfer window where the Red Devils had also acquired the services of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane.
But Ronaldo, he’s something else, and there is a long list of players who’ve overstayed their prime years to continue at a high level in the Premier League. Still, none of them has looked as physically strong or been as mentally stable as CR7.
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United 2004-2017)
One of the greatest to ever grace the field at Old Trafford believes Ronaldo will assist his former club in challenging the Premier League title this term. And who better than former teammate of Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, to give his opinion on the player he won countless trophies with.
“Obviously, I follow Manchester United, I want them to do well, and I think it’s great for them that they’ve brought Cristiano back,” Rooney told The Mirror.
“His mentality will rub off on the younger players, especially, so I think it’s a great signing.
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“Cristiano will know himself it’s not going to be as simple or straightforward for him as it was in Spain or Italy.
“It’s a physical league, but he knows that because he’s played in it before, so I’m sure he’s prepared and ready to go and score goals again for United.
“We saw, in the game against Ireland, what he does. In the last couple of minutes, he scores a couple of goals and great headers to have a massive impact on the Premier League.
“I think United are finally ready to go and challenge for the title, and I feel they have to, this year.
“So, Cristiano’s going to be a huge player, I think he’s going to have big moments in the season, and I’m sure he’ll score a lot of goals.”
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (Manchester United 1996-2007)
Former United star and current manager of the club, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, could be the perfect man for the job when utilising Ronaldo in and at the correct times. We should also put some faith in his predictions for CR7 within the season; who knows him better right now?
When it comes to goals, Ronaldo has been persistent in scoring since his second season with Sporting CP in 2003, and we shouldn’t expect anything different during the 2021/22 EPL season. Bet365 Sportsbook will be offering some of the most value on odds for Ronaldo ending up as top goalscorer, but it’ll still be less than most because he’s that damn good. And of course, his most extensive supported Ole Gunnar expects the brilliance to continue.
“Yes, you know. It’s about his longevity and sustainability and his professionalism and his quality,” Solskjaer told Manchester United’s in-house media crew.
“He scored again, and I’m sure he’ll score more goals for us.”
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Four players set to leave Salford City as club confirms retained list
Danny Jones
Salford City FC have announced their retained list for next season as this year’s EFL campaigns come to a close, with four players confirmed to be leaving the club.
It’s been another up-and-down year for the Ammies, with Karl Robinson’s side ever so narrowly missing out on the playoff places despite looking like they might just sneak in only a fortnight ago.
The Greater Manchester club has somewhat plateaued following their streak of promotions in the immediate years following the Class of ’92 buyout – even Gary Neville himself admits they’ve “lost some momentum” – but with another new era beckoning, who knows what the next few years hold?
One thing that we do now know is which players will be staying at the Peninsula Stadium, with Salford City revealing the four names set to depart upon the contract expiry this summer.
Following a sixth consecutive League Two season, Robinson and the administration will no doubt be looking to once again freshen up the squad in the coming transfer window.
That being said, while the likes of ‘Player of the Year’ Ossama Ashley, and fellow first-team stars Haji Mnoga and Luke Garbutt all seeing their deals extended into at the very least 2025-26, not mention seven new contracts offered to new players, they will be losing some key players and fan favouries.
Right-back Liam Shephard has also decided to join those parting ways with the Ammies head of next season, with many fans gutted to see the popular squad member heading for the exit door.
The club are going about sharing farewell videos for each of them, knowing full well a few will feel tought to take for some supporters.
Thank you for the past 4 years Shep ❤️
Across 92 games, a nearly 50% win percentage along with 4 goals and 13 assists, we thank @Liam_Shep2 for all his hard work 🫡 pic.twitter.com/G2cPLYx9hx
Crediting all of them for the years of service, especially given the roles that many of them played in helping Salford reach the playoffs in the 2022/23 season, the club expressed their gratitude to the senior quarter for their contributions.
Meanwhile, in terms of the youth set-up, there due to be even more departures, including the likes of Callum Morton, Jez Davies, Marcus Dackers, Sandro Da Costa and more.
You find out the full details from the 24/25 retained list HERE.
With a second modern takeover of Salford City having just been confirmed this month, the new ownership group will be looking regain some of that monentum Neville talked about and bring in replacements for the outgoings as they look to continue climbing the pyramid.
Ex-Salford Red Devils CEO steps back in to try and save the club from collapse
Danny Jones
Former Salford Red Devils CEO, Paul King, has flown in to help his former employers as the rugby league side hopes to rescue itself from the brink of complete collapse.
Paul King only left Salford Community Stadium and the Red Devils in February, being replaced by Chris Irwin, but since the latter resigned this month and promises of financial security still look far from coming good, the 54-year-old is back in the fold and trying his best to save the 152-year-old club.
Salford were the subject of a Swiss takeover earlier this year, which looked like it might beckon a whole new era for the long-established local team, but despite claims of clearing debts and righting the ship by businessman Dario Berta, it turns out that little has been done to fix the books since then.
In fact, as it turns out, Salford’s line of credit only appears to have been extended as the Devils are thought to be rather deep in the red (a rather cruel irony) with payday loans taken out to pay player wages and keep them afloat. With that in mind, King has come back to do what he can.
While the new consortium is yet to deliver key funds, King is taking the fall. (Credit: Salford Red Devils via Facebook screenshot)
As per multiple outlets, King has now returned to Salford in an ‘advisory role’, consulting on how best to navigate the persisting choppy water surrounding the club.
Although the club has so far refrained from making any kind of announcement of their own – the last being the confirmation of chief exec Irwin’s departure on 6 May – it’s understood that King has actually been continuing to help cover costs ever since he left.
The man himself has downplayed his impact thus far, stating that he’s simply “been pulled in from gardening leave to advise, that’s all”, insisting that “it’s all very short-term.”
However, despite no longer being actually a full-time member of staff at Salford Red Devils, he is said to have been paying player wages for the last three months and
Even more concerningly, though it will no doubt touch fans to hear, he is also believed to have put his own home up as collateral against what the club owes to lenders; it’s not even the first time he’s done this, either.
Former CEO Paul King is back at Salford Red Devils in an advisory role.
It's understood King paid the player wages for the past three months.
👹 The Devils are still waiting on significant funds from their new owners.
In a modern sporting era where owners, consortiums, nation states and so on are often criticised over their stewardship of clubs, this kind of generosity and hustle from a man who isn’t even technically employed by the business has to be applauded.
That being said, it’s no surprise that their struggles off the pitch have translated to performances as well, with Salford sitting at the bottom of the Betfred Super League table, having notched just one win this season. Some stability is needed, and soon.
Here’s hoping it all pays off – a community club that’s been around so long and means so much to the local area cannot be allowed to disintegrate.
Meanwhile, over in the EFL, neighbours Salford City FC have also seen their ownership change hands as they hope to avoid similar uncertainty in this next chapter. The sporting-obsessed city and its countless supporters have no intention of giving up on their teams.
The Manc -
21st September 2021 
