‘Everyone is afraid of Cristiano Ronaldo, nobody is scared of Man Utd’ – Anderson questions Red Devils’ decision to let evergreen superstar leave after seeing him hit 54 goals in 2023

The Portuguese superstar completed a stunning return to Old Trafford in the summer of 2021, but he was released less than 18 months later, with an explosive interview leading the Premier League giants to rip up his contract and pave the way for a move to Saudi Arabia to be made with Al-Nassr.

Ronaldo – who won the Premier League, Champions League and his first Ballon d’Or during an initial spell with United – hit 27 goals through 54 appearances for the Red Devils second time around. They have been short on attacking inspiration since then, while CR7 registered a world-leading 54 goals for club and country in 2023.

Former United star Anderson, who once shared a house with Ronaldo in England, has told Globo of why the Red Devils should be regretting their decision to part with the all-time great: “When Cristiano came back... man, it's Cristiano Ronaldo. Protect him. Today Cristiano has 50 goals. ‘Ah, but it's in Saudi Arabia’, but he has 50 goals! Out of three chances, he will make two, that's a fact. And whoever plays against him is afraid. And today nobody is afraid of playing against Manchester. They know that Manchester is taking beatings after beatings. Ronaldo arrived at a time when Manchester was under construction, and he scored 25 goals. And then he left.”

Rasmus Hojlund has started to find the target on a regular basis for United, with the Danish frontman becoming their latest go-to option in the No.9 role, while Ronaldo is working his way back from an injury that prevented him from facing eternal rival Lionel Messi in Al-Nassr’s recent friendly date with Inter Miami.