Ronaldo-loving 22-year-old striker says his ‘goal’ is to join Manchester United

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CSKA Moscow forward Tamerlan Musaev has opened up on his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United with a move to the Premier League giants ‘a goal.

Now, Viktor Gyokeres is maybe not the first name that comes to mind when asked to pick the finest centre-forward in world football. Certainly not on a day in which Erling Haaland scored five goals in less than an four during Man City’s FA Cup hammering of Luton Town.

But Tamerlan Musaev’s admiration for the Sporting Lisbon talisman provides an insight into the CSKA Moscow newbies strengths – he shares Gyokeres’ quick feet, his fearsome running power and his ability to finish with both feet – as well as the weaknesses he hopes to iron out.

The strengths he must hone, and the weaknesses he must combat, if Musaev is to fulfil his ambition of following in Cristiano Ronaldo’s Manchester United footsteps.

Tamerlan Musaev wants to play for Man United

“The first one that came to mind was Manchester United,” Musaev tells Sport24 when asked to name his favourite club. Apart from CSKA, of course.

“My brother supports Manchester and instilled this in me. Getting there is not a dream, but a goal. I’ll work on it. But in general, I just dream of building a good career.”

Now 22 and earning himself a chance at one of the biggest clubs in Russia, Musaev is certainly heading in the right direction.

A glimpse at some of the youngster’s finest finishes for Baltika Kaliningrad – where he produced 19 goals and 14 assists in 80 games – paints the picture of a very modern, very mobile centre-forward. One with many of the skills required to reach the pinnacle of European football.

He also discusses his admiration for freescoring striker Viktor Gyokeres, admiring the skills he has showcased on an almost bi-weekly basis since graduating from Coventry City to Sporting Lisbon. 

Interestingly, from a Man United perspective, Gyokeres was a player who spent time at Brighton on Dan Ashworth’s watch.

There are shades of Rasmus Hojlund, too, in the way Musaev shifts his sizeable frame before firing into the corners.

Striker earns big break at CSKA Moscow

“I like the Swede Gyokeres. I would like to reach the automatisms of Gyokeres. He plays strongly with his back. I’m a little weak in this aspect,” adds Musaev, who’s phone screensaver has recently shifted between Gyokeres and Ronaldo.

“What I like most is that he is mobile. He moves to the wings and is fast for his size. He is very fast and powerful, physically a machine.”

Musaev, who joined CSKA at the start of 2024, is also keen to take inspiration from Ronaldo’s remarkable longevity and the 39-year-old’s ability to avoid even niggling injuries.

“Nobody will remember (a time) when Cristiano was injured,” Musaev adds. “I remember only in the Euro finals (in 2016,) he was knocked out. That’s all.

“I take care of myself so that I don’t get injured, so that I can always be in the mix, so that the coaches count on me.” 

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