Manchester United knew what they were getting with Cristiano Ronaldo – a hype train like no other, with an even brighter spotlight being cast over Old Trafford. The Portuguese superstar has the eyes of the world on him at every turn. A five-time Ballon d’Or winner was always going to bring a healthy dose of glitz and glamour with him to Old Trafford, with his global appeal unmatched in football circles – even by eternal rival Lionel Messi.
Success has had a tendency of following him around, with major silverware captured in Manchester, Madrid, and Turin. Those at the Theater of Dreams need that record to be maintained in 2021/22 in order to justify a recruitment decision driven by heart as much as it was head.
Premier League winner odds do not look too favorable at present, pricing United at 113/1 odds for a top-flight crown in England. However, on a more promising note, they are staked at 7/1 odds to win the FA Cup and remain in a Champions League hunt. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ’s side can also be found at 20/21 in English Premier League tips focused on a top-four finish in the Premier League, but qualification for elite European competition is unlikely to be enough to satisfy the demands of those off the field.
With Ronaldo on board, big things are expected and demanded. A seasoned performer will be leading that charge, making it clear to all of those around him that nothing but the best will be accepted. He is not a man to accept second best.
There have been plenty of signs that Ronaldo has lost none of the spark that has allowed him to cement a standing as an all-time great. He remains a man for the big occasion and one that can be relied upon to step up in an hour of need. He cannot, however, carry a club of United’s stature by himself. Assistance is required from a star-studded cast that has underperformed for far too long. Consistency as a collective is the order of the day.
Ronaldo is always prepared to steal the limelight, diverting attention away from others, with his traveling circus one of the very best in the business. Manicured looks, a glamorous partner, and unimaginable sporting talent, an iconic figure ticks boxes well beyond the football field. He transcends his chosen profession, with a celebrity status off the pitch that rivals his stature on it.
That is unlikely to change any time soon, and there are no questions of where his priorities lie. Ronaldo’s relentless drive has carried him to this point and he will not be distracted, as others may be, by events outside of his control. The CR7 brand continues to grow as more avenues are explored, with the intention being to get business fingers into as many pies as possible.
Ronaldo is, though, a footballer first and foremost and United needs him to deliver the substance to go with the style as they look to bring a five-year trophyless run to a close in 2022.
