Missing someone whom you love is quite a normal phenomenon, but even five years of separation can’t seem to douse the loving flames of Manchester United fans.
They just cannot seem to get over the fact that Ronaldo left them. They are continuing their efforts in persuading him to come back home.
Last week, the desperation for their team to get back to winning ways was manifested when a group of fans from Manchester United’s Reel Army splashed nearly 3,000 pounds for a plane to fly over Real Madrid’s game against Villarreal carrying the message- ‘Come Home Ronaldo’.
After this stunt, the group posted on their social networking website page that they would not stop until they bring back Ronaldo. Their members from all over the world donated money and resources to fund a mid-game message, flown by plane, in order to demonstrate their love for Ronaldo.
Post this stunt, the speculations are growing louder and many newspapers in England have reported that former manager Sir Alex Ferguson has used his considerable sway over Ronaldo to try and persuade the Ex-Manchester United star to return to Old Trafford. Further on they reveal that Sir Alex made a phone call and personally requested the Portuguese star to join back Red Devils in January transfer window.
Ferguson bought Ronaldo from Sporting Lisbon in 2003 and handed him the famous no.7 jersey at Old Trafford. Ronaldo played under him for six years and went onto became one of the greatest players in the history of Manchester United, breaking many records and leading them to Premiership titles and UEFA Champions League victory in 2008 – which led him his first World Player of the Year award.
He very quickly established himself among Old Trafford’s faithful and became the crowd’s favourite – donning the no. 7 jersey, once worn by former legends like George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona and David Beckham. Cristiano Ronaldo won the Manchester United player-of-the-year award on three occasions.
However, in 2009 Ronaldo left Manchester in an 80-million euro deal to join Spanish giants Real Madrid.
After all these years, Ronaldo continued his prime form in Spain too, breaking innumerable records and collecting many accolades. But even at Madrid, he never stopped praising his former club never failed to hide his love for Manchester – ranging from the club, the city, the locals, the fans, the food and Sir Alex – whom he considers a father figure.
Last year, Ronaldo signed a six-year contract extension with Real Madrid, however, there has been speculation that he is unhappy at Real Madrid, especially following the departures of fellow players like Mesut Ozil to Arsenal and Angel Di Maria to Manchester United.
Even so, Ronaldo has played down the speculation of him joining Manchester United anytime soon. However, statements like “Manchester is in my heart. I left many good friends there, the supporters are amazing and I wish I can come back one day”, still reverberates in the ears and the hearts of Manchester United fans.
Though, Ronaldo might not need Manchester United for now, but the club needs him much more than it has ever. Ever since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down in 2013, the club has been in tatters. Under David Moyes they failed to win a major trophy and couldn’t even qualify Europe as they failed to finish in top four.
This season Dutch mastermind Louis Van Gaal took over the reign with a mission to bring back the glory at Old Trafford.
However, it has been a disastrous start to his season having won just two games out of five. With their recent loss to Leicester City after leading 3-1 before losing the game to 5-3, the speculations have grown stronger.
Transfer windows will come and go by and as always the speculation about Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Manchester will never die
Who knows, one day this never ending love story might have a happy ending? Will Cristiano Ronaldo don the Manchester Red again?
Uzair Hasan Rizvi is a Freelance Journalist and a journalism student at AJK Mass Communication Research Centre, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India. He tweets @rizviuzair
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