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Manchester United have truly transformed into title contenders overnight with the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo. Yes, there's no need to file that under the 'dream returns' category anymore because it has happened.
Manchester United hijacked Manchester City's plans of signing Cristiano Ronaldo
The world woke up on the 27th of April to the news that Cristiano Ronaldo could be headed for Manchester City. Manchester United fans went postal and their former players were shocked and in denial.
A few hours into the day, things took a U-turn and suddenly Manchester United were rolling out the red carpet to welcome Ronaldo back to Old Trafford.
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There is no need to ponder over how good a signing he is going to be for Manchester United. He outscored Romelu Lukaku by six goals in the Serie A in the 2020-21 season at Juventus. So the Red Devils are getting a proven goalscorer who is also very familiar with the club.
But Ronaldo's arrival has more significance. His work ethic and mentality could really rub off on Manchester United's youngsters. Their playmakers could benefit from having one of the best forwards on the planet.
Without further ado, let's take a look at five players who could benefit from Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival.
#5 Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford is a player very much in the mold of the Cristiano Ronaldo of old. He packs blistering pace, is an excellent dribbler and also has a thunderous strike in him. Rashford is also renowned for his 'knuckleball' shot that was popularized by Cristiano Ronaldo.
Like the 23-year-old, Ronaldo was a winger who had his best years playing down the left flank at Real Madrid. Rashford is already one of the hardest working individuals on the Manchester United roster and he can refine his craft by working with Ronaldo.
They can also interchange positions as their playing styles are quite alike and have a similar skillset as well.
#4 Luke Shaw
Luke Shaw is one of the most improved Manchester United players under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Since the beginning of last season, Shaw's contribution in the attacking half of the pitch has improved greatly.
The England left-back is one of the main creators for Manchester United. Shaw's crossing, in particular, has improved drastically over the past couple of seasons. He registered six assists in all competitions last term.
Cristiano Ronaldo is a fox-in-the-box like no other and Shaw will greatly benefit from his poaching skills. His chances will be converted at a better rate and he could always float some lovely crosses in for Ronaldo, who is nearly indomitable in aerial duels.
#3 Jadon Sancho
Jadon Sancho is one of the best wingers in the world and he is just 21-years-old. He is one of the signings of this summer and he will definitely improve Manchester United's attack.
At Borussia Dortmund, Sancho struck up a wonderful partnership with Erling Haaland. Sancho and Haaland fed off each other and their link-up play was brilliant and effective. He could do the same with Ronaldo, who loves playing alongside attackers who are pacy and skilful.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the king of counter attacks and players like Sancho and Rashford have the kind of pace and ability that could give defenders nightmares. Ronaldo's arrival gives Sancho the opportunity to more or less stick to his ways of old to combine and create alongside a prolific goalscorer.
#2 Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba's shackles are finally off. Turns out the Frenchman works best when he is deployed as an attacker with the freedom to roam and not as a central midfielder. Pogba has already registered five assists in two Premier League games playing in his new role.
Pogba's contributions at Manchester United are gravely underrated. The Manchester United midfielder's numbers don't look extraordinary but he is one of the best creative playmakers in the world.
With a proven goalscorer like Cristiano Ronaldo in the team, Manchester United can finally benefit from the vision, creativity and technical prowess of Pogba. Ronaldo's movement is elite and it's hard to find a player who is better at playing well-weighted through balls to release his attackers than Pogba. It's a match made in heaven.
#1 Mason Greenwood
Mason Greenwood is the most natural striker at Manchester United. He is one of the best players to have graduated from the club's youth academy in recent years and has got off to a great start to the 2021-22 season.
Greenwood is already a great ball carrier and is wonderful at link-up play. The 19-year-old has already got better since Edinson Cavani's arrival last summer. Now with Cristiano Ronaldo added to the squad, Greenwood has the best possible mentors in the world.
Cavani and Ronaldo are two of the most prolific goalscorers of their generation. The Manchester United teenager couldn't possibly find a better environment to grow in at this point in his career.
