Last week was an action packed week off the pitch where Manchester United were concerned.
The club’s foolish decision to join a European Super League saw owner Joel Glazer offer a public apology as the club backtracked amid fierce public outrage from fans and club legends.
There is hope now, that the Glazers are reeling, on the ropes, and that renewed protests and Government backing can land a knockout punch which has been coming for 16 years.
It said everything about the vociferous anti-Glazer feeling amid a united fanbase, that even the prospect of Ronaldo rejoining United fell on deaf ears.
Ronaldo reportedly tempted
Gazzetta dello Sport reported last week that Ronaldo is reportedly tempted by the idea of returning to United.
Jorge Mendes is said to be exploring the possibility, with Ronaldo considering a wage cut to do so.
Juventus sit third in Serie A and are at risk of missing out on next season’s Champions League places.
From United’s perspective it is plausible if Edinson Cavani leaves. United are unlikely to pay up for Erling Haaland, and Ronaldo would be a stop-gap solution.
It may be more attractive for Ronaldo, who may not see too many escape routes out of Juventus.
Lost amid the anti-Glazer sentiment
Ronaldo to United is in many ways a dream move, especially with fans returning to Old Trafford next season. And yet, there was a certain amount of apathy towards the reports.
Part of that is due to hearing rumours like this constantly around Ronaldo for several years. Another is that there are just bigger fish to fry at the moment.
United fans have become focused on putting pressure on the Government to introduce legislation to push the Glazers out of the club or minimise their stake, or even force the owners to sell outright.
Add in the Europa League semi-finals this week, and transfer rumours kind of feel irrelevant right now.
And then there are suspicions that rumours like this will be planted by the club, to try and distract from the anti-Glazer efforts – although in this case it seems to have come from Italy and Ronaldo’s camp.
A return for Ronaldo would also seem like an appeasement buy from the Glazers.
Their success in Tampa Bay in the NFL this past year saw them recruit the best quarterback in history, Tom Brady, who led the Buccaneers to the Superbowl.
It is very easy to see them trying to do the same by signing a big name like Ronaldo this summer.
Supporter apathy probably won’t last long in this case, but there will be fans who can see straight through it.
It would be a tough spot for Ronaldo to be in too, returning to the club as an apology present from the Glazers.
There will be recruitment this summer, and some big names joining. But that should be the bare minimum anyway, this is Manchester United after all. After the poor transfer window a year ago, fans are owed.
And it would say everything about the Glazers’ transfer policy at United if the club’s replacement for Ronaldo leaving in 2009 turns out to be a 36-year-old version of himself 12 years on.
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