When Cristiano Ronaldo made his incredible Manchester United comeback in 2021, there were high hopes over what legacy his second spell could lead.
It was pretty clear when Manchester United re-signed Cristiano Ronaldo that his acquisition was an opportunistic purchase rather than one which was carefully pre-planned.
Yet the temptation to bring back the superstar was too much, and Manchester United fans were treated to 24 goals from the forward during his comeback season.
What fans really hope for, was that Ronaldo’s presence would rub off on the team’s extremely talented young forward line of Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood and Jadon Sancho.
United trio and Ronaldo failed to gel
Disappointingly, Manchester United’s young attackers failed to gel with Ronaldo at all. Sancho in particular had a difficult debut season and struggled to connect with the forward, despite it being on paper, a dream connection of a top goalscorer and top creator.
Rashford at times seemed to play within himself when lining up alongside Ronaldo, while Greenwood appeared to go too far the other way, trying to prove he was the main man. It just didn’t click on the pitch with any of them.
Ronaldo’s reservations came more off the pitch. In an interview with Sky Sports midway through the season he blasted their attitudes.
He said: “If I give you advice, even if you are younger than me, if you don’t implant that during your daily life, it will be difficult.”
This was also a topic during his controversial interview with Piers Morgan, where he commented: “It’s a little bit shame [young players don’t follow] because if they have the best examples in front of their eyes, and if they don’t at least copy what you did, for me, it’s kind of weird, because I remember when I was 18, 19, 20, I always looked to see the best players when Van Nistelrooy, Ferdinand, Roy Keane, and Giggs – this is why I have the success that I have and longevity.
“They don’t care [about playing with me], some yes but most of them no. But for me it’s not surprising because they’re not going to have longevity [in their] careers. It’s impossible.”
Manchester United trio have all experienced difficulties
Cristiano Ronaldo wanted Manchester United’s young stars to seize the standards of high-professionalism he had set through his career. It has not really worked out.
Mason Greenwood did not last the season, arrested in connection with off-field allegations. He lost 18 months of his career and is out on loan at Getafe.
Jadon Sancho’s professionalism was questioned by Erik ten Hag, and the winger was unwilling to make amends with his manager. He has also been sent out on loan, and may never play for Manchester United again.
Marcus Rashford is a more curious case. His 2022/23 season was the best of his career. But this season has seen him take a major step backwards.
Rashford is now subject of an internal inquiry at United after attending a nightclub in Belfast in the lead-up to the team’s FA Cup fourth round clash. The Athletic claim he was clubbing two nights in a row.
Manchester United fans are growing increasingly frustrated with Rashford, and Ronaldo’s comments about young players not taking his advice are looking particularly poignant.
Ronaldo was not without his own faults of course. He did not conduct himself immaculately during the final months of his second United spell either, but he would argue that with what he has achieved over the course of his career, he can be forgiven that mistake.
United need top professionals at the club. Ronaldo wanted the young stars to follow his words and make smart choices off the pitch, to give them the best chance of success on it. And it does not look like United’s young forwards listened to his words.