Cristiano Ronaldo came back from his self-imposed training break at Manchester United playing 45 minutes in the last pre-season friendly against Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford.
Ronaldo started the match, but was subbed off at half-time, without impressing during the minutes he spent on the pitch. Ronaldo tried to link up with the midfield players, but most of his ideas failed to materialize. He also missed a chance from inside the box, when his shot from a closed angle went far off from target.
A first sight of goal for @Cristiano 🎯
Click below to enjoy the game live 👇#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 31, 2022
Cameras caught Ronaldo and new United manager Erik ten Hag having a brief talk about tactics on the sidelines, with Ronaldo shrugging before covering his face with his palm.
Erik ten Hag 🆚 Cristiano Ronaldo pic.twitter.com/6iRiJQ2SIG
— S Sport (@ssporttr) July 31, 2022
Amad Diallo, the man who replaced Ronaldo at half-time, opened the scoring just three minutes into the second half. Alvaro Garcia equalized in the 57th minute to set the final score at 1-1.
Instant impact.
Well played, @AmadDiallo_19! âš½#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 31, 2022
Ronaldo’s most important moments vs Rayo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_SfhdsYseA
First United starts for Martinez and Eriksen
Against Rayo, summer arrivals Lisandro Martinez and Christian Eriksen started for the first time in the Man. United shirt. Ten Hag changed the entire starting 11 from the Saturday defeat vs Atletico Madrid in Oslo. Despite Ronaldo playing, Raphael Varrane captained United in the final test before the Premier League season kicks off.
45': Cristiano Ronaldo subbed off at HT as Man Utd is level with Rayo Vallecano 0-0.
48': His direct replacement Amad Diallo scores. âš½ï¸ pic.twitter.com/SDd3HYoICO
— CBS Sports Golazo âš½ï¸ (@CBSSportsGolazo) July 31, 2022
Moves to Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain failed to materialize for Cristiano Ronaldo, who’s now expected to stay at United for the season. The 37-year-old is at -200 to be with United even beyond the transfer window.
United changed management and signed new players, but the bookies don’t see the Red Devils as having a big improvement from last season’s sixth place classification. Man. Utd is at +170 to finish inside the top four at the end of the campaign, thus qualifying for the Champions League. A top two finish is at +750, while United winning the Premier League after a nine-year break is at +2500.
