Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United has been prophesied for a number of years now as the Portuguese forward continues to defy footballing logic in terms of his goal haul.
The 31-year old is a certified legend at the Theatre of Dreams and undoubtedly one of the greatest players to ever grace the game.
The Red Devils themselves need a saviour. He was there saviour. But he’s not anymore.
While an emotional return to Old Trafford tugs on the old heartstrings, the sheer numbers do not make sense anymore. By no means are Ed Woodard and company the most sound financial planners, but surely even they must realise that.
At 31, it’s hard to justify what could likely be a huge transfer fee and sky high wages being shelled out.
The club should move on. Ronaldo has.
Still, they need big name additions in order to pull them out of the post Sir Alex Ferguson lull once and for all. Well, better than the big name additions who’ve already been brought in to do exactly that and failed so miserably.
But who could provide an effective alternative to the three time World Player of the Year and perhaps the most lethal finisher of all time? Not many.
Though, as ever, the locals in the Transfer Tavern have come up with a few.
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE 5 CR7 ALTERNATIVES FOR MANCHESTER UNITED.
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Antoine Griezmann
Antonie Griezmann is unlucky he plays in a league that hosts both Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. In any other league in the world, the 25-year old would be the best forward in it.
While clearly he’s not as prolific as CR7, the Frenchman has a similar knack for finding himself space in the final third and using it to wreak havoc.
Able to lead the line on a counter attack or drop deep and grab possession for himself before a surging run behind enemy lines, the Atletico Madrid man is a wonderful player.
Marco Reus
You have to feel sorry for Marco Reus. Well relatively, considering how much money he earns just to play football.
Every year, the German watches Borussia Dortmund sell another of its prized assets to arch rivals Bayern Munich, furthering the gap in the Bundesliga between the two.
One of the most lethal wide men in the world, the 26-year old looks as suited to the English league as rainy Saturdays and ridiculously priced tickets.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
While Zlatan Ibrahimovic may also represent a dead end financially, at least the Swede wouldn’t command a transfer fee.
He’d clearly be on huge wages, though the 34-year old is proving ever potent despite his advancing years and would certainly bring a winning mentality to Old Trafford for the first time in years.
One a short-term deal, surely this is the best time in years to land one of the premier talents in European football for much of the last decade.
A statement signing.
James Rodriguez
James Rodriguez is by no means a carbon copy of CR7 (who is?) though the Colombian is believed to nearing an exit at Real Madrid himself.
The 24-year old playmaker could establish himself as one of the best playmakers in the world once again if given a run in the team and made its creative hub.
He showed during the World Cup in 2014 how dangerous he can be as a floating Number 10, occasionally advancing in front of the striker to plunder goals just as frequently as he creates them.
Sadio Mane
Clearly, Sadio Mane is nowhere near the same class as Ronaldo, though the Senegalese attacker has shown a tendency to step it up against the big boys in the Premier League this season.
The Southampton star would be the perfect tonic to the methodical, one paced system deployed by the Dutchman this season, able to break through stubborn backlines rather than try to pass his way around them.
A pacy, powerful and palpable goal threat, the 24-year old would lift backsides off seats at Old Trafford no doubt.
