MANCHESTER UNITED turned the tables to become the noisy neighbours after beating City to the sensational signing of Cristiano Ronaldo.
But how is 36-year-old Ron, who boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hailed as ‘the world’s greatest ever’ player’, going to fit into the United side?
Solskjaer is already bursting with fluid, flexible options for his attack – with £73million new boy Jadon Sancho fully fit, Mason Greenwood firing on all cylinders and Marcus Rashford nearing a return from injury.
And ironically United has been looking for a long-term replacement for Edinson Cavani – aged 34.
But instead £21million Ronaldo has returned.
And here are FIVE WAYS United could line up after Solskjaer completed an astonishing deal for the ex-Real Madrid ace.
Most obvious is Ron sitting at the peak of a triangle – with England young guns Sancho and Greenwood either side.
Who better to nurture Sancho’s flair down either flank and Greenwood’s explosive finishing?
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
Rashford’s return would offer Solskjaer a trio of Three Lions purring at the chance to learn and profit from Ronaldo.
That’s particularly so as the Portugal icon has himself gone from winger to free-roaming attacker to the wily focal point he now is – emphasising intelligence over energy with his positioning.
Ron’s heading would also offer darting menaces like Rashford, Sancho and Anthony Martial an exciting incentive to deliver a more direct service.
Rashford for Greenwood – aside Ronaldo and Sancho – looks the likeliest combination if United have all their forwards at 100 per cent.
But as Greenwood has netted in United’s first two Premier League games he would have strong claims to keep out Sancho in the short term.
Ron featuring on the left is a fourth option, with Cavani the main man in the middle and Sancho a more orthodox winger down the right.
Such a combination arguably offers United more punch but less mobility up front.
Martial would appear to have most to do to break into a line-up containing Ron, amid speculation his attitude and enigmatic form have frustrated Solskjaer.
But the Frenchman might be a serious option if Solskjaer prefers closer link-up play with Ronaldo.
A more realistic FIFTH XI, though, sees Ron pairing with Cavani – for what some might see as an awesome, ageless strikeforce.
That link-up might impede United’s famed counter-attacking at pace from any angle.
But when a goal is needed, with Solskjaer’s men raining attacks in the final 20 minutes, those two together could be a dream tactical switch.
And what a dream for most United fans to get to see their returning hero.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
