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For the second time in less than a year, Cristiano Ronaldo is available for hire. And for the second time in less than a year, it’s going to take some top maneuvering to conjure the kind of move that will appease the aging goal machine.
Ronaldo’s romantic and nostalgic return to Manchester United unfolded as plenty expected it would. He scored his share of goals, including a slew of clutch ones and a handful on the Champions League stage—his six matched those of Kylian Mbappé and Darwin Núñez, for what it’s worth. He has been great for social media engagement. His presence has sold a lot of jerseys, attracted a lot of eyeballs and emitted a chorus of “SIUUU!” chants from the Stretford End. And yet United finished sixth in the Premier League, was bounced from the Champions League in the round of 16 and is Europa League–bound this season.
