In addition to the huge criticism of the club that seems to be coming from all corners of the football world, Manchester United’s Champions League exit has sparked plenty of conversation about what it means for Cristiano Ronaldo’s future. United were well beaten in that game and their current league form has raised doubts about their chances of competing in next year’s Champions League. Experts like those at Coral, who offer free bets to new users via oddschecker, have the Red Devils rated as outsiders to finish in the Premier League top four this season, meaning winning this season’s Champions League might have been their best chance of being in it next year.
Champions League exit
The manner of the defeat, in which United looked bereft of ideas and unlikely to come back once Atleti scored, disappointed fans who felt like the team had a good chance of winning the competition. While United may not have had the strongest squad in the Champions League, they certainly should have had enough to defeat an Atletico Madrid side that is struggling in La Liga. Having the competitions record goalscorer in Ronaldo is enough reason to believe that had they beaten Simeone’s side, United would have fancied their chances of advancing beyond the quarter-finals.
Ronaldo this season
Cristiano Ronaldo started this season in fine form, with four goals in his first three games. However, his form dipped in the winter when he went through a run of just 1 goal in 6 games, which was his poorest run of form since his first spell at the club. His match-winning hattrick against Tottenham at Old Trafford earlier this month silenced a lot of his doubters once again and convinced many that he would be capable of causing problems for Atletico Madrid, but he had a poor game which led to questions about his suitability for Champions League football.
Future
It seems unimaginable to think of the Portuguese legend not playing in the Champions League. He has won it 5 times and scored more goals than anyone else in the history of the competition, so United not qualifying for next year’s edition would certainly make him consider his future. However, with Europe’s top teams increasingly employing high pressing tactics that require defensive effort from the whole team, it’s difficult to predict what his next move would be.
PSG remains an option due to their financial power, although they would likely be quite weary to sign another supremely talented forward who doesn’t work hard in defence, considering the problems they’re having with Messi and Neymar. His best bet may be staying at United until the end of his two-year contract and reassessing then.
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