For the past year or two there have been rumours coming out of Madrid that a certain footballing Superstar may be on the verge of returning to Manchester to play his football in the Premier League. All the chatter has been about him returning to United where he was so successful in his early career, but as the star considers what is next on the horizon for him, there appears to be a number of reasons why he may be taking his time and cogitating over the decision.
There are all sorts of reasons why Cristiano Ronaldo may be on the verge of a move to Manchester, but will he be in dressed in red if it ever comes off? It may be that he is waiting, negotiating for a more lucrative chance to end his career with United’s long time foes across the city; so could Ronaldo be wearing pale blue instead of red at the beginning of next season? Let’s consider 5 reasons why Ronaldo might consider Manchester City over Manchester United.
The Offer
Whatever offer Manchester United have offered, if indeed there has been an offer placed, the chances are that it can be bettered by the likes of Manchester City, who are reputed to be the best payers when it comes to salaries and other perks that come with being a professional footballer. It has been said in recent years that in order to get a good team and get results in the Premier League, one has to buy your way to success. It has been a major criticism leveled at teams like Chelsea and Manchester City who have spent massive amounts of money in the last five years and have tuned into the fact that those at the top of their game now demand the very highest in salaries and packages in order to play for them. So, with that in mind, could Ronaldo receive a better offer from City than from United? If it is likely to be so, it will enable him to continue in the lifestyle he has become accustomed to. But he is not just a player who is after the highest pot. No, he is more than that.
The Manager
Louis Van Gaal or Manuel Pellegrini - which one would you choose? Yet again, which would Ronaldo be likely to choose? As the Bard would say, “that is the question.” Both have been very successful but can Ronaldo work under the guise of LVG? That is a major doubt in the minds of some people. Could there be a clash of personalities that would lead to problems and Ronaldo spending a lot of his time on the bench if he returns to Old Trafford, whereas if he signed for City [or indeed Arsenal] he would have a better likelihood of regular games in a more even tempered environment where the manager takes a different approach, one that for Ronaldo, could prove conducive to greater success? It is that, after all, that he craves.
The Chance of Success
Cristiano Ronaldo has won just about everything there has to be won in club football so why would a move to Manchester be worth it for him when it comes to his next adventure? What possible reason could he have to make the move, whether to the Etihad or to Old Trafford? The answer lies in how much he continues to crave success at club level. If he has not lost his drive and determination to win, if playing the game for him means winning at all costs still, then he would make such an impact on the Premier League from wherever he was playing. If his attitude is “Once a Red, always a Red,” then we see the drive in him to succeed again at this level. But which team offer him the best opportunity for that success? Some would argue there is not much in it at the moment but the best opportunities to play seem to be more evident at the Etihad at the moment. Whichever he chooses, it will be a real challenge for him.
The Challenge
The decision he is to make is a huge one; leave Madrid and return to Manchester United as the hero he has always been with the fans, or give yourself another challenge and move to another club that has the desire to be as big and as successful as the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid. Either way, his ego is going to be up for one huge boost whichever way he chooses. The challenge to train. The challenge to operate under new guidance and in new ways, possibly in a different position than he is used to and under very different expectations from his manager and the fans - all are factors that will go through his mind as he considers any possible move. In the end though, it is likely to come down to one thing; the players he will be playing with in the Premier League. Colour of shirt may not matter to him in the long run.
The Team
Any decision Cristiano Ronaldo makes may just come down to the fact that the quality of players do not compare between United and City [or indeed any other title contender]. When Ronaldo was playing for United in the past, that team was magnificent in every single manner. It had the depth that teams now would envy. It had the manager who demanded the very best and who knew how to get the best out of his players. They were, quite simply, remarkable as a team and expected to win every time. Ronaldo knows that and he also knows that if he was to return to Old Trafford now, that would not necessarily be the case now. So would he look across the city of Manchester and consider a move to the Etihad? Possibly! He can see the possibilities he would receive at City, or Arsenal, but he may just be looking at United at the moment, even though they are doing so well and thinking now is not the time for this. With all this in mind, one wonders if he will ever return to the Premier League and one thing is for certain; it would be a pity if he did not.
Source: DSG
