Manchester: Cristiano Ronaldo is set to make his most anticipated debut , since the announcement of his return to Old Trafford against on Saturday when the Manchester side go in against New Castle United.
Ronaldo’s debut was in question after the Portuguese skipper was reported to be in isolation, but to the huge relief of the fans Ronaldo was seen in the practices at Carrington. Manchester United boss Ole Gunner Solskjaer himself announced that the ‘Prodigal Son’ would most ‘definitely’ make his appearance even if it is from the bench.
“He will definitely be on the pitch at some point,” Solskjaer said on Friday.
“On talking about positivities of having a personality like Ronaldo in the squad , Solskjaer stated :
“We know what he has achieved in his career but he has come here to achieve more and to put demands on,” Solskjaer said, in a video call, about the five-time world player of the year.
“That’s what he does — he has lived his life with the discipline of a top, top player.”
“There’s no place to hide when you have winners like him. You can’t go into training and give 95% and not be focused. That’s what he demands of himself and everyone else.”
Solskjaer finally said that although Ronaldo would have a lot influence on the game , but it will be very different from Ronaldo’s first stint at the club. Solskjaer, who was once Ronaldo’s compatriot as the 18 year old Ronaldo dreamt of being the best in the world , added that he believes Ronaldo can play till he is 40.
“I don’t think you are going to see 18, 19, 20 stepovers before he goes past you,” Solskjaer said with a smile, “but he still has those stepovers, the shift when he shoots, those accurate finishes.
“He is one of the best, of course, in the air. His desire to get on the end of crosses is second to none. He knows the game more, which positions to drop into, and when to run in behind. And he’s still as quick, it looks like from the stats. He is a shining, leading star for everyone to look up to, and he’s going to be a leader in this dressing room.”
With the fiasco between the Brazil FA and the Premier League over the absence of the clubs’ internationals from their national commitments after the former appealed FIFA to impose a certain ban on the Premier League club’s that would see them without their internationals on field for club games for five day, being sorted out, the clubs are prepared to field their Brazilian players.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola would definitely start Ederson and Gabriel Jesus against Leciester City, Liverpool would not be without starters Allisson Becker, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino against Leeds United now get to field Rapinha. Chelsea’s Thiago Silva will be present against Aston Villa while Fred starts for the Red Devils.
In other matches of the day Arsenal and Tottenham go against Norwich City and Crystal Palace respectively. Watford will be taking on Wolverhampton Wanderers while Burnley pay a visit to Everton at Goodison Park.
