Former Italian striker Paolo Di Canio is skeptical of Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United despite the majority of fans’ enthusiasm. Di Canio has explained why he is skeptical of Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to the club.
The Portuguese striker has re-joined the Red Devils at €15 million football transfer fee and the Old Trafford has the ability to pay up to €8 million in bonuses. Ronaldo has racked up 101 goals in 134 games for Juventus but was pushed out during the summer transfer window.
Last week he finally left the Turin club just a day before Juventus’ Serie A match against Empoli, which they lost 1-0. In the football news, the 53-year-old Canio told La Gazzetta dello Sport’s podcast In The Box, “I am one of those looking at this move and thinking: ‘He is back where he began his incredible career.’ He has grown as a man and as a footballer in Sir Alex Ferguson’s Man United.”
“However, I need to consider everything. It’s a great move for merchandising, for Ronaldo and Manchester United’s visibility, even if they don’t really need it. Individually, Ronaldo’s last season at Juventus was great, he scored 30 goals, but a champion needs to win the trophies. Man United is the best team for him because everybody loves him at the club. The fans don’t look at his age, he is a club’s icon. It’s an investment for the moment. I saw [Ole Gunnar] Solskjær and he was as happy as a kid, but he’ll have to manage him,” he continued.
“Ronaldo will improve United’s technical level, but he joins a team with many strikers and wingers. Solskjær said he sees him as a centre forward, but Ronaldo didn’t want to do it at Juventus. I still see him starting on the left, but United have other players in the same position, including Jadon Sancho, who was paid €85m but has been struggling to settle in so far.”
“Rashford will return, Greenwood and Martial too. Solskjær leaves his strikers free upfront, so this could be good for Ronaldo. There is enthusiasm, but it remains to be seen if Ronaldo will be a cumbersome presence as Zlatan was. Sometimes young players without much personality didn’t understand he wanted the best from them.”
