12/9/2023 0 Comments Time wasted on league of legends![]() Happily, in the end, he pledged his allegiance to United, although ankle surgery delayed his start to the 2008/09 campaign. His staggering individual performances gleaned a clean sweep of club and domestic individual honours, with global gongs soon to follow.Īt Euro 2008, Ronaldo’s future was again the subject of claim and counter-claim. In May 2008 he fired United to domestic and European glory scoring a decisive penalty on the final day of the league campaign and a powerful header in the Champions League final in Moscow. Ronaldo improved further in 2007/08, netting a staggering 42 goals in all competitions. His form that season brought a glut of individual accolades and, despite interest from other clubs - notably Real Madrid - he extended his contract until 2012. Dazzling wing-play was backed with regular assists and crucial goals. It began with the barnstorming 5-1 win over Fulham – Ronaldo and Rooney ran the show and publicly banished claims they were at odds. United’s title success in 2006/2007 was a team effort, but one man took the lead role in every major plotline. Ronaldo met the inevitable boos with the best football of his life. It’d happened with Eric Cantona and David Beckham. But Sir Alex assured him any ill-feeling would blow over. Some doubted he would return to Manchester. ![]() In the quarter finals, Portugal met England and, after Wayne Rooney’s sending off, Ronaldo became the pantomime villain for the English press. He departed, full of hope and with great expectations, for the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany - what turned out to be a truly defining moment in his career. In 2005/06 Ronny again reserved his best form for the latter stages, but the inconsistencies of a developing young player were being ironed out. His second term didn’t quite live up to his first, but late season form saw him end 2004/05 with nine goals in 50 appearances. There was a buzz of excitement as soon as he stepped off the bench and, after 39 appearances and eight goals that season – including the opener in the 3-0 FA Cup final win over Millwall – he was named Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year. Ronaldo wasted little time in showing off his sublime skills with a stunning 30-minute debut against Bolton at OT in August 2003. This was a target Sir Alex simply could miss out on. The urgency stemmed from other clubs’ increasing interest. In truth, the boss had long been aware of his ability. The story goes that Sir Alex was persuaded to buy Ronaldo - largely unknown when he signed as an 18-year-old for £12.24m in 2003 - by his players on the plane home from a pre-season friendly against Sporting. His contribution has been a major factor in the club’s success in that time and his talent, his ability to entertain and his infectious personality have enthralled fans the world over." On the day he departed for Real Madrid in a deal worth £80m - making him the world's most expensive player - his former manager Sir Alex Ferguson said, "Cristiano has been a marvellous player for Manchester United.
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