Struggling Cristiano Ronaldo's Manchester United legacy now on the line

The moment Cristiano Ronaldo realised he would be staying at Manchester United, against his will after seeking a transfer, his priorities changed.

Euphoria had reached fever pitch at Old Trafford in the summer of 2021 as the big names came bursting through the doors. United’s long-running pursuit of Jadon Sancho finally paid off, four-time European Cup winner Raphael Varane seemed a substantial upgrade on Victor Lindelof, and homecoming hero Ronaldo the icing on the cake. A long-overdue title challenge was on the horizon.

The renaissance mission Ronaldo was supposed to spearhead, however, turned into a disaster as United finished with their lowest points total in Premier League history, and thus the goalposts shifted. The title had never been so out of reach in the post Sir Alex Ferguson era.

Ronaldo, therefore, wanted out. Winning things at United meant a great deal to the player who had not forgotten how the club put a scrawny teenager from Madeira on the map.

But with the fairy tale turning into a nightmare, agent Jorge Mendes invited offers for his star client last month. However, nobody could either afford the Portuguese superstar or wanted to take a risk on a 37-year-old with an ego greater than his bank balance.

What has come out of all this is no use to anyone, as United prepare for the Manchester derby this weekend.

MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea 7 Poor control after two minutes saw largely tame Sheriff fans get excited. United had dominance thereafter. Secure handling of 74th minute shot. Vocal towards his teammates during late Sheriff attacks.

AP

When given his chance this season, sparingly so far, by new boss Erik ten Hag, Ronaldo has resembled a human pinball machine, firing aimlessly for goal at