Solskjaer Reflects on Ronaldo’s Man United Return: “It Didn’t Work Out”

In a candid admission, former Manchester United head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has acknowledged that Cristiano Ronaldo’s much-anticipated return to the club in the summer of 2021 ultimately fell short of expectations. Despite this, Solskjaer maintains that bringing Ronaldo back to Old Trafford was the right decision.

“We started off straight away thinking how we are going to press and change the little tweaks,” Solskjaer told the Stick to Football podcast. “Cristiano is different to Antony Martial who was up front, or whether we would play Mason [Greenwood] or Marcus [Rashford] up front.

Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United was a dramatic turn of events, with the Portugal international initially poised to join rivals Manchester City before ultimately re-signing with the Red Devils in August 2021. While Ronaldo made an immediate impact, scoring 24 goals during the 2021-22 season, his second stint at the club was marred by struggles, managing only three goals in 16 appearances before his contract was terminated following a controversial interview with Piers Morgan.

Reflecting on Ronaldo’s return, Solskjaer admitted to challenges in adapting the team’s style of play to accommodate the Portuguese superstar. The presence of Ronaldo affected the roles of other key players, particularly Edinson Cavani, who Solskjaer noted “suffered the most” due to tactical adjustments necessitated by Ronaldo’s arrival.

Solskjaer highlighted the complexities of integrating Ronaldo into the squad, emphasizing the need to balance his passion and experience with the development of younger talents such as Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford, and Anthony Martial. Despite efforts to manage Ronaldo’s expectations and contributions, disagreements arose, leading to his departure from the club.

While acknowledging the disappointment of Ronaldo’s tenure at Manchester United, Solskjaer stressed the importance of the decision to bring him back, citing Ronaldo’s unparalleled goal-scoring ability and influence. Solskjaer also noted that his relationship with Ronaldo remained positive during his tenure at the club, despite occasional disagreements.

“They [United] asked me, “Would you want us to try this?”. I said yes – obviously we know Cristiano is quality, and he’s 37, but we have to manage – he’s the best goal scorer in the world. It didn’t work out for me, it didn’t work out for Cristiano, but it was the right decision at the time.

Since leaving Manchester United, Ronaldo has found success with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, showcasing his enduring prowess with an impressive goal-scoring record. However, his brief return to Old Trafford serves as a reminder of the challenges of integrating a marquee player into a team dynamic.

“When I was manager of Manchester United, I can’t remember too many problems from Cristiano Ronaldo. It was the game against Everton when he walked straight off the pitch after I brought him on as a substitute, but there were more problems with him after I had left the club.

Solskjaer’s reflections offer insight into the complexities of managing elite talent and the inherent risks associated with high-profile signings, even for seasoned coaches like himself. As Ronaldo continues his career elsewhere, his time at Manchester United will be remembered as a blend of triumphs and challenges, highlighting the complexities of football management at the highest level.