It really is important to be grateful for Liverpool, without whom Manchester City would have dominated the Premier League under Pep Guardiola.
There can be miracles, when you believe
Writes Neil Custis in The Sun:
‘It’s incredible to think that this time a year ago United were going into the new season having finished as runners-up in the previous campaign.
‘They had finally landed Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane was on his way and little did anyone know about the excitement that would greet Ronaldo’s return.
‘Their league season opened up with four wins and a draw and a belief was growing that for the first time since 2013 they could challenge for the title again.’
‘A belief’? You said Ronaldo was ‘the last piece in the jigsaw’. You wrote about his addition meaning it was ‘probably the best Manchester United team in over a decade’. You stated that their business ‘has proved they are back, big time’. You suggested he might ‘write the most astonishing chapter in his incredible football story’ by leading them to the title.
Own it, man
The only acception
The worm truly has turned with regards to Ronaldo, to whom about three or four different tabloid journalists dedicate their Friday columns. Among those is Andy Dunn of the Daily Mirror, who saw Erik ten Hag describe the Portuguese’s early exit from a pre-season friendly as “unacceptable” and decided to take it rather literally:
‘Well, don’t accept it then, don’t have him anywhere near the place. Sadly, it has come to that.’
That really is easier said than done. Especially when the player involved is on a wage worth around £500,000 a week.
‘If this is being seen as the beginning of a Ten Hag ‘project’, that project simply cannot involve a 37-year-old who wants out.
‘And never mind financial, contractual or commercial considerations, that instruction has to come from Ten Hag himself.’
Ah right. ‘Never mind’ the implications of chucking half a million quid down the drain for a whole season. Just write it off, Erik.
‘Tell Richard Arnold, United’s CEO, that Ronaldo will not be involved in the first team under any circumstances and then leave it to the suits and to Jorge Mendes to sort the rest out.’
Perfect. Significantly weaken an already pretty sodding shaky negotiating position. That will endear Ten Hag to his new employers and not create any lasting problems whatsoever.
Brazil nut
Perhaps not all is lost, however. The Daily Mirror…
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