Cristiano Ronaldo was dropped by Portugal for their World Cup last 16 clash, and it felt very familiar.
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag decided Ronaldo was no longer good enough to be a regular starter, and the forward did not take it well.
He forced his exit via the termination of his contract, and Manchester United are now looking at how to replace him.
United may decide to follow Portugal’s lead, and pick out Goncalo Ramos.
Goncalo Ramos could replace Ronaldo
Goncalo Ramos was selected to start up front for Portugal and grabbed his chance on his first ever international start.
Ramos needed only 17 minutes to get on the scoresheet, lashing in an incredible goal from an improbable angle.
His fierce strike demonstrated a combination of ambition and ability, which has already attracted Manchester United’s interest.
Pundit Ian Wright told ITV’s live coverage, “That’s unbelievable. He smashes this, it’s pure exuberance of youth. It’s a brilliant goal.”
Ramos scored another goal in the second half thanks to a Diogo Dalot assist, showing excellent movement and finishing to net at the near post. Soon afterwards he completed his hat-trick to cap a memorable night.
The Sun reported in October that Manchester United were monitoring Ramos’ blistering start to the season for Benfica.
This report claimed Ramos was valued at just £25 million. It has shot up since. Ramos has scored nine goal in 11 league games for his club this season.
He has 14 goals in 17 under-21 games for Portugal, and netted on his international debut as a substitute against Nigeria in a pre-World Cup friendly. Last night he scored on his first start.
Ramos ticks several boxes for Manchester United. He is young, his movement is clever, and he has a good eye for goal.
Still relatively reasonably priced, Ramos is the type of striker Erik ten Hag could help develop into a superstar, still only 21.
Earlier in the World Cup he posted a picture with Bruno Fernandes on Instagram story with the caption: “Lots of chemistry”.
There is something to build on here. United won’t be able to get Ramos in January due to Benfica’s progression to the Champions League last 16. Next summer this could be a very smart deal to do.
United will have been watching Ramos’ progression to see how he performed at the World Cup, if he was capable of stepping up.
He has shown emphatically that he is capable, and last night was a case of Ramos rubber-stamping the case for Manchester United to step up their pursuit of him.
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