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The return of the King to the house of kings: Ronaldo comes off the bench, gets into the game but United cannot avoid defeat against Brighton

James
James
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“Clever” [Pronto]

In the usual post before or after the matches, in this case the first official game of the Premier League season at Old Trafford against Brighton, Cristiano Ronaldo left just one word with an image to inaugurate the opening day of the Championship. Just by looking there, that kind of war cry, that context, it was almost impossible to think that if a year ago the Portuguese arrived as a former prince who, meanwhile, ascended to king and returned to his kingdom. Now, as happened last weekend, there are even some beeps. Also: no one knew if he was going to play.

He started, played 45 minutes, missed an opportunity: Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United

Rewinding the film of the last month and a half, there was a bit of everything: the absence at the beginning of the team’s work, the farewell to the club’s tour of Asia and Australia, the return to Manchester after three weeks of training alone ( or with friends who are also players or former players) in Portugal, the failed attempt by agent Jorge Mendes to place the striker in a top-tier European club, the announcement that he would face Rayo Vallecano in a match before the final whistle like other teammates , Erik ten Hag’s open criticism of this attitude, the coach’s assurance that Ronaldo was still far from the level of his teammates. still being in Red Devilsno one imagined that it would be possible for number 7 not to play but that door was open.

Arrival with Mendes, presence of Ferguson, training, meeting and an enigmatic message: Ronaldo’s day and the chances on the table

“I can’t say at the moment what level he’s going to play in the Premier League, but he’s certainly not at the level of the team at the moment because he’s missed so many weeks of work. He needs to play and train a lot”, he said after that last friendly with the Spanish, which ended in a draw. “A lot of players went home before the game was over. if you pass me Obviously not. I don’t tolerate it. I think it’s unacceptable to everyone. We are a team and we have to be together until the end, ”he admitted afterwards. “There were several players who left the stadium but the focus focused only on Cristiano [Ronaldo]. This is not correct. I’m very happy. I told you, we have a top striker and I am very happy that he is in the team. I already said it wasn’t right. I am satisfied with the team, we are working well. Cristiano is working hard”, he commented before the match.

Erik ten Hag openly criticizes Ronaldo (and others) and striker for starting the Premier on the bench: “It’s unacceptable”

There were doubts about the use with Brighton, the divisions in the analysis of what has been happening around the striker too, including former team-mates who are now commentators. “I’m a little disappointed in him. We all know that if a Champions club advances for him, they will. But that hasn’t happened yet. It’s a bit unpleasant. This is a mess for him and the club. We want him to stay but we don’t want these sagas to continue. As a United fan, we don’t want this to drag on for another three weeks,” Gary Neville said. “People say it’s better to let Ronaldo go, but first bring someone who can score 25 goals. Manchester United can’t let go. Cristiano Ronaldo. He can’t. Even if he begs you to leave, he can’t allow it. It’s not right,” Rio Ferdinand said.

The Portuguese’s arrival at Old Trafford was followed in detail, with Ronaldo stopping to sign autographs, take photos and greet the crowd of fans outside the venue. At this point, the striker’s condition against Brighton was not yet known, but shortly after the expected news arrived: number 7 would start on the bench, with Ten Hag betting on a mobile front with four elements that had Sancho falling on the right, Rashford on the left and Bruno Fernandes and Eriksen in the center, with the Danish debuting alongside the Argentine Lisandro Martínez (Malacia, the other new face that is guaranteed at this stage, initiated at the bank). Diogo Dalot was also a starter on his debut.

Old Trafford emerged with a renewed spirit, with an atmosphere of euphoria such as has not been felt in a long time in the club that last season finished sixth in the Premier League (guaranteed only on the last day), but the game started with everything. but the facilities for Red Devils, who in the first quarter of an hour only had a dangerous threat and from Bruno Fernandes, in a shot from above in the central zone after a play by Sancho and McTominay on the right (7 ‘). Later, in a quick transition back to the front four, Eriksen fired into the low area on the left but came out very weak (24 ‘).

Little by little, after a more secluded entrance to the field, Brighton found their comfort zone in the game, taking advantage of the spaces in the midfield area to reach the last third with several units, although without opportunities. In the first one he had, he scored: Caicedo recovered the ball in the central zone, Lallana explored depth with Welbeck and Gross, at the far post, leaned towards the 1-0 that showed the difficulties of the locals against the Requests of Ronaldo on the bench for the team to “remorse” and go in search of the result (30 ‘). However, the reaction signal is not one. And it was the visitors who doubled their lead before the break. in another quick start from the baseline that featured a shot by Lallana saved by David de Gea and a rebound by Gross (39’).

After the 2-0 draw, Ronaldo jumped into the warm-up, then went to the dressing room with the rest of the team but did not immediately go into the restart, with Erik ten Hag believing that changes of position and tactical adjustments could solve a problem every time. more complicated. . In attitude and intensity, there was a little more Manchester United; In terms of opportunities, with the exception and two shots by Rashford that did not score with the goal, all zero in it. naturally, Ronaldo would be called to the match in minute 53, with the departure of Fred and the withdrawals of Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes in the center aisle.

In less than ten minutes, the attack of the Red Devils He did more than in the previous 55 minutes, having a clear chance from Ronaldo gaining in depth, a cross to Rashford isolated in the area but with a great save by Rober Sánchez (60′). Shortly after, Bruno Fernandes gained space on the right, crossed to the far post but Rashford’s deflection was successful again (65′). And then Eriksen tried from mid-distance with Sánchez’s defense to a corner (67 ‘). The goal was a matter of time and came directly from that dead ball, with the goalkeeper making it easy, the ball hitting Dalot’s back and Mac Allister scoring his own goal (68’). However, and after that moment, United did not know how to capitalize on the animist ascendancy, even ending up with a loss in the first Premier League game which was marked by the return of King Ronaldo but where it became clear that the team has no king.

Source: Observadora

James
James

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