Cristiano Ronaldo trains with Bruno Fernandes for Portugal
Manchester United are, it seems, in the mix to sign Cristiano Ronaldo. Recent reports have suggested he’s received a contract offer to return, with Corriere dello Sport claiming they’re willing to offer him £17million in order to return. And Express Sport will now take a look at how a potential return for the 36-year-old may see Anthony Martial and Daniel James depart.
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The 36-year-old has, throughout most of his career, played on the left flank.
There’s where Marcus Rashford currently pitches up, with Martial used as backup after Solskjaer lost faith in him as a natural No 9.
But Ronaldo would be another obstacle to overcome and, chances are, the veteran won’t accept playing second fiddle to anybody - even the club’s golden boy Rashford.
If the Juventus star was played centrally, that’s also a blow for Martial.
The 25-year-old is currently behind Edinson Cavani in the pecking order and he’d have no chance of taking the main central berth off Ronaldo if he were to make a Hollywood return, nine years 12 years after he left Old Trafford for Real Madrid.
Manchester United may offload Anthony Martial if Cristiano Ronaldo returns (Image: GETTY)
And Brighton has emerged as potential suitors, too.
United could find themselves willing to negotiate a potential exit for the right price, especially if they make a profit.
And though James clearly has talent, there won’t be too many people standing in his way of a departure should the right offer come in.
Ronaldo, quite simply, could be too good to turn down.
And with Solskjaer privately considering the Juventus star to be his greatest-ever team-mate at Old Trafford, this saga looks like it could roll on throughout the summer.
Manchester United star Daniel James will struggle if Cristiano Ronaldo returns (Image: GETTY)
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Ronaldo’s farewell?
Writing recently on social media, Ronaldo appeared to say goodbye to Juventus.
He said: "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!"