Former right-back Gary Neville has been proven right that Manchester United would not mount a Premier League title charge despite Cristiano Ronaldo's return to the club.
Following the additions of Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund and Raphael Varane from Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid, United were not expected to complete anymore business ahead of the summer transfer window slamming shut on August 31. However, they made a last-ditch attempt to re-sign Ronaldo, bringing him back to Old Trafford from Juventus.
The Portuguese star, who recently turned 37, had signalled his intentions to leave the Italian club ahead of the window closing and he looked set to join Manchester City. However, in a dramatic turn of events, United nipped in and got a deal over the line in what was one of the most dramatic days the transfer window has ever seen.
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But although United had added one of the greatest players of all-time and a seasoned goalscorer to their ranks, Neville remained convinced that his old club would struggle to launch a title charge. Seven months on, he has been proven exactly right.
"The Glazers have done what they normally do when they get put under pressure," Neville told Sky Sports, speaking back in August. "They make two or three signings and basically, it shuts people up. I think there are deep-rooted issues at United.
"They couldn't let Ronaldo go to Manchester City," Neville continued. "They've had it in the past with the likes of [Alexis] Sanchez when he was going to Man City and they stepped in.
"They had to step in at this point, whether they wanted to or not is another matter."
Although Ronaldo's addition to the squad strengthened United's supporters' hopes of a title charge, Neville remain unconvinced. He declared that signing the five-time Ballon d'Or winner would not make them a "better team" than Chelsea and City.
"I made the prediction on Monday Night Football that it would finish Man City, Chelsea and Man United and I'm not going to change that," Neville added. "I don't think the Ronaldo signing makes them a better team than Chelsea, who won the Champions League last season, and Man City, who were 20 points clear."
With 10 games left to play, United currently find themselves fifth in the Premier League table, six points behind Chelsea and 22 short of City. They face an uphill task to finish in the top-four, meaning hopes of a title charge have long since faded.
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