 SURPRISE SURPRISE

Surprise surprise by Daniel Cuschieri

Who would have thought at the end of last season that we would have Mr Cristiano Ronaldo back on our books.

This has been, in my opinion, a very good transfer window where the manager has strengthened a number of positions in which we were light in previous seasons and has strived to beef up the squad. There are still two positions in which I think we are light, which are the defensive midfielder role which is occupied by Fred right now and also the position that Fernandes has made his own.

The signing of Sancho has strengthened the forward line, where finally the manager has two players for each position which can make a difference when needed. The manager has gone for youth and has been chasing the signature of this player for a number of years and for us fans, this signing got us all excited for the new season. Sancho has come after having a strong season with Borussia Dortmund but having a quiet European Championship with England, which could have been a blessing in disguise so that he isn’t burnt out and ready to play with United.

Raphael Varane has joined from Real Madrid whereby this is a European and World Champion. He will provide experience and calmness at the back where during the past season, some erratic play has caused the team a large number of points. We also welcome back Dalot, who had a fairly good season on loan with AC Milan, whose game is different to that of Wan Bissaka and can provide good competition for the right back position. Varane was on United’s radar for a number of years, and it appears we’ve got one off Real Madrid, whereby during the past years it seemed that we groomed players for them, players such as Beckham, van Nistelrooy, Heinze and Ronaldo. Still there is a part of me that fears that when Real Madrid come knocking, all players listen, and they still find a way to enjoy playing in the Mickey Mouse La Liga.

David De Gea appears to have got back to his best. He had an outstanding game against Wolves which showed that David is still there and that David is still one of the best around. Due to the constant playing without any real competition last season or even in prior seasons, he may have suffered a dip in form due to exhaustion and also the birth of his first born, which tends to get everybody off guard. During the summer there were major rumours that Ronaldo would be leaving Juventus. The name of Manchester United was frequently thrown around ever since he left the club. I thought this was the same thing all over again but when the rumours intensified and leaks were spreading around the Internet like wildfire that Ronaldo was signing for Manchester United again, I didn’t really know what to say, especially when my sister texted me ‘Ronaldo to United’. My favourite player ever since I started to support Manchester United was Eric Cantona, growing up and seeing him carry the club towards major titles. He was in my eyes a god on the field, not because he had a superior talent to other players, but due to the knock on affect that he had around the team, as he made other players superior to what they thought they were. When David Beckham left, and Cristiano Ronaldo was

signed, I had just been watching the friendly against Sporting Lisbon when I saw him take to shreds the United defence and at the back of my mind said ‘he would be good with United’. This was the same summer which United had to sign the famous Ronaldinho. During the first three seasons, I believe United didn’t get full value from Ronaldo, as he was still a kid full of tricks and at times no end product. He came back from the incident with Wayne Rooney and that season was the real start for Ronaldo. He played for the following three seasons and he was untouchable. He made, together with the others at United, one of the best teams in the world. It was a shame that after winning the Champions League, he wanted to leave and in certain performances and instances he showed his unhappiness at being at the club. He left the club winning the Premier League and losing the Champions league Final. I had just popped in to my late father’s take away and I was greeted by the words ‘Ronaldo left, he went to Real Madrid’, and I replied that he got what he wanted. Upon leaving United, Ronaldo went from strength to strength, breaking every record that there is to break, winning every trophy that there is to win other than the World Cup. Ronaldo is the best player I have seen don the colours of Manchester United. I believe he will raise the level of the players around him because this man at the age of 36 still treats every game as his last and is a natural born winner. While people around the world were celebrating his arrival based on all his past achievements, others are sceptical. Ronaldo has managed to always silence pundits and also away fans throughout his career and his return will lift the club. This transfer window could not have finished on a better note. The world is now waiting for his second coming. For the money the club has spent during this transfer window, I think the club has done very good business where Sancho and Varane still have a lot of playing years in front of them and Ronaldo still has a good two years if handled correctly.

Daniel James was sold once Ronaldo’s move was confirmed. Whenever he played, he gave his 100% and one must remember that when he signed for the club, he had just suffered the passing of his father and got off to a flying start which United. I think that he will improve slightly more but not to the level that we are accustomed to at Manchester United. Not taking anything away from him because he always gave his all and also was a player that respected the tradition and the culture of the club.

At time of writing, we are going through another international break, but I’m sure everybody is wishing that was not the case so we can get a taste of the exciting forward line of Ronaldo, Sancho and Greenwood. I think the forward line United have this season is something to really boast about as if all are on top of their game, I cannot see this team not outscoring their opponents. As usual Mr Graeme Souness seems to have a very good opinion of what Ronaldo can and cannot do, he seems to have this opinion and also a divine talent to look into the future and know that Ronaldo cannot take on Van Dijk of Liverpool. One must remind Mr Souness that he didn’t do too well as a manager of Liverpool and Blackburn. Those are the clubs I remember him managing and I am sure the different Ronaldo was playing against Souness, I know who would have come out on top.

When Ronaldo was a boy, the club gave him the tools to become a man and go to the top. Hopefully Ronaldo is paying back the favour and dragging back United to the top of the table.

He no longer plays on the left, he no longer plays on the right, but he’ll still make you look like…you all know how it continues.

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