In the summer of 2021, football fans around the world were thrilled when Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo made a dream return to Manchester United. However, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, former Manchester United manager, recently revealed that there was more to this transfer than met the eye.
Solskjaer confirmed that one of the main reasons for re-signing Ronaldo was to keep him away from their rivals. The Red Devils weren't alone in their pursuit of this superstar; neighbours Manchester City also had their eyes on him and seemed close to securing his signature.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Former Manchester United manager, said:
“Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the best players in the world the last 15 years. I played with him. He played for Manchester United. He has history with the club and he's leaving Juventus but we can not give him to Manchester City because he will score more goals than Erling Haaland is doing at the moment probably.
“So I speak to Cristiano. We get him to Man United but I think maybe that affected the whole dressing room, the dynamic in the dressing room. Maybe other players felt less important because of course this is one of the world superstars that comes in. He did well. He was top scorer that year, scored 24 goals or something, but I was out of the job 10 weeks later!”
However, in a strategic move reminiscent of high-stakes chess games, United swooped in and snatched Ronaldo right under City's noses. Solskjaer admitted that City's interest played a significant role in pushing them towards re-signing Ronaldo.
A potential success at Etihad Stadium
The former United boss also conceded that if things had gone differently and Ronaldo ended up with Manchester City instead, he would have been a roaring success at Etihad Stadium. This statement came during his speech at Oslo Business Forum.
Ronaldo’s return journey with Manchester United was nothing short of dramatic. He enjoyed an impressive first season back at Old Trafford scoring 24 goals across all competitions. However, his performance dipped significantly during his second campaign under Erik ten Hag where he managed just three goals before falling out of favour.
His time with the Red Devils eventually came to an abrupt end after an explosive interview with Piers Morgan led to Saudi club Al-Nassr cancelling his contract prematurely.
Reflecting on mistakes
Looking back on these events now, Solskjaer has expressed some regret over bringing back Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer added:
"It was a decision that was very difficult to turn down and I felt we had to take it, but it turned out wrong. It felt so right when he signed and the fans felt that at that Newcastle game, when Old Trafford was rocking [after Ronaldo scored twice in a 4-1 win]. He was still one of the best goalscorers in the world, he was looking strong."
The return of Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United was a significant event in the football world. However, the revelations from Solskjaer provide a new perspective on this transfer saga. It's clear that strategic considerations played a crucial role in this decision, and it wasn't just about bringing back a beloved player.
While Ronaldo's second stint with United had its ups and downs, his impact on the field remains undeniable. Regardless of whether it was a mistake or not to bring him back, his contribution to the club will always be remembered by fans and critics alike.
