Sport

United face key Ronaldo decision after Premier League slump

Ronaldo did not join the club to sit on the bench - and his exclusion in United’s 1-1 draw against Everton raised eyebrows

The Manc The Manc - 20th October 2021

After an impressive start to the Premier League season, Manchester United has been halted in their tracks by a poor run of form knocking them off the pace of the title contenders.

The Red Devils set the tone for the term by making significant signings in the transfer market, pulling off a supposed coup to secure the return of Cristiano Ronaldo. Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane were also notable moves that were supposed to push Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team from a steady top four to the precipice of the Premier League crown.

There is a long road ahead in the season but it’s telling that United are considered as rank outsiders for the title at 33/1. Unless the teams ahead of them Manchester City, Chelsea, and Liverpool have a dramatic fall from grace, United will once again have to settle for a top-four spot.

Even that is no guarantee amid the talent of clubs such as West Ham, who could be a good shout for a Champions League berth in the EPL betting tips from Paddy Power. Given the vast expenditure, failing to compete for the Premier League crown would be a significant underachievement.

Solskjaer will undoubtedly come under fire, but the club appears to be heading in circles. They’ve run through David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, and Jose Mourinho in the dugout since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson. Neither of the established managers came close to dragging the Red Devils back to the peak of their powers. Solskjaer remains a popular figure, but he is enduring the same issues as his predecessors regarding ultimate success.

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The signings of Sancho and Varane were encouraging, providing additional firepower in the final third and an experienced defender alongside Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof at the back. Ronaldo appeared to be a panicked purchase amid reports that he was on the verge of signing for City.

The Portuguese player has been productive, but the resources used to secure his signature may have been better used elsewhere. The 36-year-old is also halting the progress of United’s starlets such as Mason Greenwood, who has been shunted into a wide role rather than playing through the middle.

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Greenwood has enjoyed an outstanding start to the season and is scratching the surface of his potential. A front three of Greenwood, Marcus Rashford, and Sancho would hand the Red Devils pace and excitement to match that of their rivals at the top of the table.

However, Ronaldo did not join the club to sit on the bench, and his exclusion in United’s 1-1 draw against Everton raised eyebrows as noted by the Manchester Evening News, including from a former manager.

It begs the question of whether the signing of the Portuguese was down to the club’s hierarchy rather than the man in the dugout. Even at the age of 36, Ronaldo is the best forward at Old Trafford, but whether that will benefit the club in the short and long term is doubtful.

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If United cannot compete for the crown with Ronaldo in the line-up, they’re best off giving Greenwood, Rashford, and Sancho all the time they need to develop a rapport that could yield success in the future.

Feature image – Commons Wikimedia

Sport

Manchester United reportedly leading the race for Matheus Cunha after multiple ‘hints’

Danny Jones Danny Jones

Manchester United may have come crashing back down to reality after their 1-0 loss at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, but they may have left with a consolation prize as multiple so-called ‘hints’ and the latest transfer rumours have it that Matheus Cunha is in their sights.

Cunha has been one of the best players in a struggling Wolves side over the past couple of seasons and was one of the most effective on the pitch once again as the visitors did the double over Man United for the first time since 1979/80.

It may have been an impressive free kick from Pablo Sarabia that got Vitor Pereira’s squad over the line after the home team missed a number of chances in front of goal, but many fans felt it was somewhat of a second audition for Cunha, who scored and assisted for both goals in the reverse fixture.

Notwithstanding his latest performance, if you’re inclined to believe the latest transfer rumblings from reliable sources such as Fabrizio Romano and The Athletic, it sounds like United are pushing hard for Matheus Cunha already and that the signs are looking promising.

Even prior to Stockport-born United journalist Laurie Whitwell’s report on Tuesday morning, numerous outlets were quick to hop on what is becoming an increasingly intriguing saga.

Transfer expert Romano had already claimed that there were “good feelings” following early contact between the two clubs, noting that discussions around personal terms are underway with United fully aware that Cunha will have plenty of suitors given his relatively reasonable release clause in this climate.

Speaking on his YouTube Channel, the Italian reporter went on to insist that the club are now leading the race and pushing hard to get a deal done early, adding that a source has told him there “great connection” between all interested parties.

Cunha, 25, was also at the centre of a mini media storm of his own making earlier this month too, after sharing an Instagram post which read: “Time to be happy. I will follow my dreams and yours… So stay cool.” It was deleted shortly after.

Romano also went on to state that “the feeling between Matheus Cunha and Ruben Amorim is excellent”, with supporters from both clubs spotting that the fellow Portuguese speaker was quick to put his arm around the Wolves number 10 once again after the full-time whistle.

Whether or not the Man United head coach was putting in his own additional effort to try and tap up Cunha or at least bend his ear on the situation, only time will tell, but it seems with the microscope fully on the Brazilian attacking midfielder, virtually everything he does is being closely scrutinised.

For instance, other eagle-eyed fans noticed that the former Red Bull Leipzig star and Olympic gold medallist did something rather intriguing when walking out onto the pitch at Old Trafford before kick-off this past weekend.

Make of that what you will…

The fact that he was spotted not just waving and acknowledging supporters both before and after the game, but even stopping to take pictures outside Old Trafford, has also added fuel to the fire.

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All evidence appears to point towards transfer and player contract talks already progressing, even if they are still in their early stages, and there seems to be a belief that Cunha himself would be keen on the move, especially with Wolves lingering just above the drop zone.

More crucially, however, how the INEOS leadership group will finance a potential move given Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s recent revelations about the club’s financial state is another obstacle entirely.

At the very least, it’s clear that there will need to be outgoings in order for Man United to undergo any real activity in the upcoming summer transfer window.

The question is, would you like to see Cunha swap ‘old gold’ for red?

You can watch the highlights from the defeat at Old Trafford down here.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Sky Sports (screenshots via YouTube)/Bex Walton (via Flickr)

Sport

Kevin De Bruyne reveals he wasn’t offered a new contract by Manchester City

Danny Jones Danny Jones Kevin De Bruyne not offered new contract by Man City

Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne has revealed he wasn’t offered a new contract by the club before making the decision to leave at the end of the season.

The 33-year-old is preparing to leave the Etihad after more than a decade, following the conclusion of the current 2024/25 campaign, announcing the decision earlier this month.

It goes without saying that the Belgian playmaker isn’t just a fan favourite and club legend but one of the most revered players in European football, let alone England, having been transformational both for the Blues and the Premier League.

Although his exit hasn’t come as a complete shock, given his age and increasing injury problems, De Bruyne himself has confessed that he was “a bit surprised” not to be offered a new contract by Man City whatsoever over the past year.

As per multiple outlets, KDB shared the revelation during his post-match media duties after the Everton game on Saturday, revealing: “I didn’t have any offer from them the whole year and City made a decision. Obviously, I was a bit surprised but have to accept it.”

Despite a firm belief that he “can still perform” at this level (one most would wholeheartedly agree with him on), he assured he understood the club’s thinking and even admitted that it was “more of a relief” knowing that he was the first to learn that news and could announce his departure on his own.

Insisting that he’ll still be giving everything to help the team win in their remaining games this season, he went on to detail that the decision has been made “because the whole team has struggled.”

“Maybe if the team didn’t struggle and I came back like I did this year and bedded in like normal, then maybe they would take another decision”, he added, arguing that he’s playing with much more rhythm and confidence post-injury.

After all, he was the difference once again in the remarkable comeback against Crystal Palace.

A reminder that class is permanent as Kevin De Bruyne inspires remarkable Man City comeback
De Bruyne has made it clear he’d be more than happy to stay in the Premier League.

Although he wouldn’t go into too much detail on the conversations, he reiterated, “I can’t really say what they think on the inside […] I have to accept the situation even though I feel like I can still do a good job, but that’s it.”

Despite many fans coming to terms with the difficult choice made by the club, many supporters still believe it is an oversight on CFG’s (City Football Group) part.

One social media user has nearly 5,000 likes and almost 400 comments on a post entitled: ‘A petition to make Manchester City apologise and offer Kevin De Bruyne a new contract’.

While not everyone is in agreement on the matter, there is clearly plenty of doubt, with the same account going on to add, “There’s no shame in admitting a mistake and offer[ing] Kevin De Bruyne a new 1-year contract. His influence in the dressing room, let alone on the pitch, remains of critical importance.”

It’s hard to gauge exactly what manager Pep Guardiola makes of all of it, either; apart from his farewell message included as part of the club statement confirming his contract expiry, this is pretty much all the Catalan coach has had to say on the matter thus far:

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Featured Images — Ardfern (via Wikimedia Commons)

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