The season suspension caused by the coronavirus pandemic led to financial problems for football clubs in Europe and reports said Juventus could soon move to sell superstar Cristiano Ronaldo for a much-needed cash injection. Immediately, Manchester United emerged as among the top candidates for Ronaldo's next destination and the prospect of reunion is already generating excitement.
The Portuguese only joined the Old Lady in 2018 and it's no surprise that he quickly made a mark. He scored 21 Serie A goals in his first season and already has the same numbers before the season was stopped.
But at 34 and nearing 35, Ronaldo is no longer the top gun in Italian football and while his performance is at par with expectations, the Turin giants are not exactly in a comfortable situation. The ongoing campaign for Juventus can be characterized as one of the club's "more testing seasons," as evidenced by the struggle in the Champions League's last 16, according to Sport Bible.
The tie with Lyon saw Juventus catching for breath and once the season restarts, it's a must for the club to defeat Lyon or it will be another miss chance to lay claim on the European title.
That is why it makes sense that the five-time Ballon winner will press the eject button this early. His exit will be mutually beneficial, like for Juventus, balancing the books will be easier minus Ronaldo's astronomical weekly wage.
For Ronaldo, changing the setting again might give him a new and better platform to clear a few more things on his checklist. He could, with a more solid team, win another Ballon d'Or and match the six already in possession of Lionel. And he could pocket one or a couple more of titles before retirement sets in, perhaps another Champions League win.
While nothing has been confirmed yet, Ronaldo wearing the Red Devils jersey again will surely make English football more exciting. For one, United with the old hero back could start winning trophies again. The projection was for United to get its first Premier League title in years in 2022 but with the Portuguese on the roster, that dream can come true as early as 2021.
It should be noted that Ronaldo's six years at Old Trafford led to three straight Premier League championships and one Champions League title so the forecast is quite near to being realistic.
Express has started speculating that when the homecoming of Ronaldo is realized, he is most likely to don the No. 7 shirt. Originally, the striker wanted to keep wearing his Sporting Lisbon No. 28 but Sir Alex Ferguson convinced the Portuguese otherwise.
"Ronaldo justified the club's faith by shining with that number on his back, propelling the Red Devils to three straight Premier League titles. The Juventus star also won the Champions League while at Old Trafford, scoring in the final victory over Chelsea in 2008," the report recalled.
