When Cristiano Ronaldo completed a blockbuster return to Manchester United in the summer of 2021, few would have predicted that it would end in disaster. The prodigal son’s return to his former hunt...
When Cristiano Ronaldo completed a blockbuster return to Manchester United in the summer of 2021, few would have predicted that it would end in disaster. The prodigal son’s return to his former hunting ground painted the Theatre of Dreams in the cosy colours of nostalgia, sparking hopes of a possible return to former glory.
Unfortunately, it all ended in chaos, as has been the norm in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. The Portuguese superstar scored 24 goals in 39 appearances in the first campaign, but failed to pick up a trophy, and things soon went haywire.
Erik ten Hag took charge at Old Trafford in the summer of 2022, and Ronaldo gradually fell out with the Dutch manager. Things boiled over in November that year, with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner criticising Ten Hag in a controversial public interview.
The Red Devils took a firm stand, terminating Ronaldo’s contract, and by the end of 2022, he agreed to move to Saudi Arabia to join Al-Nassr.
United’s fortunes since Ronaldo’s departure
Three months after Ronaldo’s exit, United won their first trophy since 2017, picking up the EFL Cup to mark a decent debut campaign under Ten Hag. The Dutch manager proceeded to lift the FA Cup the following season, but failed to build on that success.
The Red Devils struggled in the 2024/25 campaign, prompting INEOS to remove Ten Hag from the hot seat at Old Trafford and appoint Ruben Amorim as his replacement. Unfortunately, the Portuguese head coach’s spell turned out to be a disaster, marked by chaos and a 15th-place finish in the Premier League. United have since ended his stay and appointed Michael Carrick as the interim manager until the summer, when a permanent appointment is expected.
Ronaldo, meanwhile, has fared no better in the Middle East, where he has yet to win the league or any title of repute. His only success remains the Arab Club Champions Cup triumph in 2023, and recent reports suggest that the 40 year old wants to leave the Riyadh-based club.
Cristiano Ronaldo Premier League Stats
Source: Premier League Website.
Another report relayed by The Peoples Person states that United are considering another reunion with their former player, who is also keen to return. A fresh update has now refuted those claims.
No fairytale return on the cards
According to TEAMtalk, United are not working on a blockbuster return for Ronaldo this year. The report states: “Manchester United categorically have NO PLANS to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford this summer, TEAMtalk understands — even as the Portuguese superstar weighs up his future in the Saudi Pro League.”
“While admiration for Ronaldo’s legacy at the club is undiminished, this new INEOS-led era at Old Trafford is focused on long term squad building and signing future superstars, rather than paying over the odds for established names or revisiting past chapters, however iconic they may be.”
“As things stand, United will not be part of the conversation should Ronaldo decide his time in Saudi Arabia is coming to an end.”
Final Thoughts
INEOS have displayed a clear plan in their recent transfer activity, and they are unlikely to throw it all away with a pursuit of an ageing superstar. United have been rewarded for their investment in attack last summer, and the focus this year remains on the midfield, so the decision not to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back could be a wise one.
The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Category: General Sports
