How Cristiano Ronaldo has enhanced his legendary status in second spell at Man Utd

But the fact he has chosen to dig in and fight alongside his team-mates until the end of a really disappointing season is hugely admirable.

 

Maybe the football, and doing what he normally does, is helping him from a mental perspective. But fans look at his performances with great respect given what he has been through in the last few weeks.

 

Ronaldo is nothing like the buccaneering, lightning-quick, all-purpose forward we saw in his first spell. He’s closer to Denis Law than George Best these days: a predatory goalscorer who sniffs out chances and can score from all kinds of angles.

 

He’s not as quick, and he’s unlikely to play through 60 games in a season.

 

But there are other things that he can bring, and he’s given plenty to Manchester United in this trying 2021/22 season.

 

As we head towards its close, he’s still inspiring, and still fighting. Much of the rest of this season has been a letdown, but Ronaldo’s return has more than lived up to the billing. 

 

Whatever happens, and however long he stays, United fans will not forget the veteran’s drive and determination to deliver what this club deserves, despite the most difficult of circumstances.