What is the first thing on your mind when you hear the words September 11? Yes, just like the vast part of the world, you probably think of those horrible terrorist attacks in the United States.However, for Manchester United fans, it’s a synonym for the return of Cristiano Ronaldo, as the Portuguese forward made his “second debut” for the Red Devils against Newcastle. This time last year, Cristiano Ronaldo made his second debut for Manchester United and scored twice against Newcastle 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/y9iitsrJ2h— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 11, 2022 That day, exactly a year ago, it seemed like a true fairytale, a match made in heaven as the then-Juve player came back “home” after 12 years.It was an emotional, almost heartbreaking encounter between the long-lost son and his family upon his return at the age of 36.Ronaldo scores a brace against Newcastle in his Manchester debutMoreover, he even bagged a brace at packed, jubilated Old Trafford for a 4-1 win that promised a fabulous second spell for CR7 with his former team.A thorough look back tells us United were third at that moment, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on the wheel. Everything was gloomy and cheerful surrounding the squad that soon made the U-turn, descended and cartwheeled straight into the abyss.Cristiano Ronaldo: a part of the solution for Man. United, or a burden?Firstly, Ole was told to leave the sinking ship, as Ralf Rangnick replaced him, but that didn’t turn out to be fruitful for the fans’ hero. Little by little, Ronaldo was left without the leading role, which triggered his further nervousness and despair. Lost somewhere between the lines, the Portuguese veteran was far from his previous form. A ‘false 9’ who couldn’t create chances, a winger who’s out of bounds for most of the match. Only 18 goals he has scored in the previous year have been an awful decline compared to 84 times he netted during his Man Utd tenure (2003-2009).Well, that escalated quickly: CR7 fumes on Rangnick for being substituted and delivers a transfer ultimatumAnd it’s not just goals – Rangnick was unable to motivate him for the levels of display the team so desperately needed from its top star. The German gaffer’s sudden departure at the end of the last season promised some changes when it comes to Cristiano’s delivery, too. But it was never meant to be.The squad was out of the Champions League spots, and the Portuguese had to ‘reconcile’ with the non-UCL football for the first time in his life after 2002. Erik ten Hag’s arrival provided some hope for both team and the player himself, but those opening few rounds of the Premier League and Ronaldo’s cameo appearances demonstrate the agony is far from over.The unwanted man: clubs keep rejecting Ronaldo, and even his teammates are not happy with himThe year that was supposed to be a nostalgic return to brilliance for one of the best players in the world, that so sought-after ‘Last dance’ – turned into a horror. He’s not even a regular in the starting XI anymore, and the body language tells a terrible story of CR7’s despair. ##NAJAVA_MECA_6633020##One year, three coaches and 36 games later, this episode could be labelled only as ‘disappointing’.
