Man Utd legend Docherty speaks on 2009 Ronaldo transfer
Manchester United are being linked with Cristiano Ronaldo again. So, with that the case, it’s now time to take a look at four players Juventus could accept in a swap deal for the Portugal international. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer still wants to land his compatriot, despite the obvious complications involved.
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United have rarely seen the best of Anthony Martial.
While he did well in his first season at Old Trafford and scored 23 goals across all competitions in the 2019/2020 campaign, he’s never become the player many hoped.
Solskjaer has told the Glazers he thinks the striker has a role to play as he hunts down a first Premier League title since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.
But if it means getting Ronaldo back, the 48-year-old could agree to jettison Martial.
He’d be a good signing for Juventus, who will need a potent forward if they do indeed lose their current No 7.
United fans expected big things when Donny van de Beek touched down from Ajax in last summer’s transfer window.
However, the Netherlands international experienced a turbulent first season at the Theatre of Dreams - spending the majority of his time stuck on the bench.
Therefore, talk of a potential move away has gathered pace.
And Van de Beek could be the perfect addition to Juventus, who are eager to offload Aaron Ramsey and Adrien Rabiot.
The Dutchman may want to leave United behind, particularly if he fails to sparkle at the upcoming European Championships.
Manchester United could sacrifice Paul Pogba or Donny van de Beek for Cristiano Ronaldo return (Image: GETTY)
David De Gea
Juventus have long had transfer interest in United star David De Gea.
And with the Spain international experiencing a big drop off in form over the past two years, now may represent the Red Devils’ best chance to sell.
De Gea is still highly regarded and respected within the footballing world and is United’s highest earner on wages of £350,000-a-week.
A direct swap and giving Ronaldo the same salary would definitely suit everybody involved.
But whether Solskjaer is willing to place his faith in Dean Henderson, for the long run, remains to be seen…
Manchester United could logically use De Gea or Martial as bait for Ronaldo transfer (Image: GETTY)
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Ronaldo's cryptic post
The 36-year-old recently wrote on Instagram: "The life and career of any top player are made of ups and downs. Year after year, we face fantastic teams, with extraordinary players and ambitious goals, so we always have to give our best to keep ourselves at excellence levels.
"This year we couldn’t win Serie A, congratulations to Inter for the well-deserved title. However, I have to value everything that we achieved this season at Juventus, both in collective and individual terms.
"The Italian Super Cup, the Italian Cup and the Serie A Top Scorer trophy fill me with happiness, mainly due to the difficulty they carry with them, in a country where nothing is easy to win.
"With these achievements, I reached a goal that I had set myself since the first day I arrived in Italy: to win the Championship, the Cup and the Super Cup, and also to be Best Player and top scorer in this great football country filled with tremendous players, giant clubs and a very own football culture.
"I’ve already said that I don’t chase records, records chase me. For those who don't understand what I mean by this, it’s very simple: football is a collective game, but it is through individual overcoming that we help our teams achieve their goals.
"It is always looking for more and more on the field, working more and more off the field, that records eventually emerge and collective titles become inevitable, some being the natural consequence of the other.
"So, I'm very proud with this fact that has been widely replicated in recent days: Champion in England, Spain and Italy; Cup winner in England, Spain and Italy; Super Cup winner in England, Spain and Italy; best player in England, Spain and Italy; best scorer in England, Spain and Italy; Over 100 goals for a club in England, Spain and Italy.
"Nothing compares to the feeling of knowing that I’ve left my mark in the countries where I’ve played, and that I gave joy to the fans of the clubs I represented.
"This is what I work for, this is what moves me and this is what I’ll always keep chasing for until the last day.
"Thanks to everyone who took part in this journey! We stand together!"