Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from Manchester United in 2009 may have seemed like a blow to the team at the time, but in retrospect, it could be argued that his exit ended up doing the Red Devils a favor. Ronaldo’s transfer to Real Madrid not only brought in a massive transfer fee, but it also paved the way for other players to step up and take on more prominent roles within the team, ultimately leading to a new era of success under manager Ten Hag.
When Ronaldo left Manchester United, he was at the peak of his powers, having just won three consecutive Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy with the club. He was also the league’s top goal-scorer in each of those seasons, and his performances had earned him the Ballon d’Or award twice in a row.
Ronaldo’s Exit from Man Utd
But despite the loss of such a crucial player, Manchester United did not falter. Instead, they used the transfer fee received from Ronaldo’s sale to bring in new players and build a more well-rounded squad. This included the acquisition of several young talents, such as Javier Hernandez, Chris Smalling and David de Gea. These players would go on to play important roles in the team’s future success.
With a renewed focus on team play, Manchester United managed to win the Premier League title in the first season after Ronaldo’s departure, with an outstanding midfield of Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher and Anderson. They also reached the final of the Champions League, where they lost to Barcelona. The following season, under the guidance of Ten Hag, Manchester United won the Premier League again and reached the final of the Champions League again, this time winning the title.
It’s worth noting that Manchester United’s success under Ten Hag was not solely due to Ronaldo’s exit. The manager’s tactical acumen, man-management skills and ability to get the best out of his players played a huge role as well. Additionally, the team’s defense was also solidified with the arrivals of players like Smalling, Phil Jones and Jonny Evans, who formed a formidable partnership at the back.
Furthermore, the emergence of Wayne Rooney as a goal-scorer and leader on the pitch was also a key factor in Manchester United’s success. The England international stepped up to fill the void left by Ronaldo, scoring 34 goals in all competitions during the 2010-11 season, and helping the team to win their 19th league title.
It’s clear that Ronaldo’s departure from Manchester United was a turning point for the club. It may have seemed like a negative at the time, but in reality, it ended up being a blessing in disguise. The transfer fee received from his sale was used to bring in new talent and build a more balanced squad, and the team’s success in the following seasons was a testament to that. The team’s success under Ten Hag, who arrived after Ronaldo left, is the proof that sometimes, change can be a good thing.
In conclusion, it can be said that Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit from Manchester United in 2009 may have been seen as a blow to the team at the time, but in hindsight, it was a move that ended up doing them a favor. The transfer fee received from his sale was used to bring in new talent and build a more balanced squad, and the team’s success in the following seasons under Ten Hag was a testament to that. The team’s success is the proof that sometimes, change can be a good thing.