Former Manchester City striker Shaun Goater said that Manchester United’s reunion with Cristiano Ronaldo at the end of last summer’s transfer window was never a good thing.
Goater went one step further by claiming City’s links to the former Juventus star were a tactical ploy to force United into making a move.
Ronaldo was brought back to Old Trafford after a largely unsuccessful period with Juventus, with it hoped that the Portugal captain would act as a springboard towards success.
Since returning to United, the five times Ballon d’Or winner has been in solid goalscoring form, scoring 18 goals in 32 games across all competitions. But his goals haven’t helped The Red Devils challenge for major honours as they had hoped.
“When that news came out (Ronaldo joined Man Utd for the second time), as a Man City fan, I thought it was good for us. I don’t think City will actually sign Ronaldo. Pep Guardiola’s team owns a collective, not an individual style of play and so Ronaldo is not an effective signature,” Goater said.
“It could be a really smart move from Man City. They can keep an eye on the next transfer window, and by forcing MU to sign Ronaldo. Then they will have one less opponent to follow. chase a world-class striker this summer.” Goater added.
Ronaldo on March 6, missed United’s Premier League match against Manchester City due to a hip injury. The 36-year-old striker and his teammates also lost 1-0 at Champions League last-16 tie with Atletico Madrid 2-1 on aggregate at Old Trafford and soon were eliminated.
Meanwhile Ronaldo has won March’s Budweiser Goal of the Month award, the first time he has claimed the honour at Premier League.
