Manchester United are gearing up for life post-Cristiano Ronaldo for the second time after his contract was terminated in the wake of his bombshell interview with Piers Morgan last month

Manchester United are currently adjusting to with life after Cristiano Ronaldo for the second time.

The Portuguese star’s spectacular separation from the Old Trafford club in recent weeks has certainly ruined the God-like status he enjoyed there until this season.

After the furore caused by his bombshell interview with Piers Morgan in which he accused United and manager Erik ten Hag of disrespect and took aim at many aspects of the club, it’s easy to forget Ronaldo scored 24 times last season.

Manchester United are gearing up for life post-Cristiano Ronaldo for the second time after his contract was terminated in the wake of his bombshell interview with Piers Morgan last month

Manchester United are gearing up for life post-Cristiano Ronaldo for the second time after his contract was terminated in the wake of his bombshell interview with Piers Morgan last month

Ronaldo was scathing of the club in the interview, saying he felt 'betrayed' by his treatment

Ronaldo was scathing of the club in the interview, saying he felt ‘betrayed’ by his treatment

That made him the team’s leading goalscorer by a considerable margin, with his second coming at United seeming like an inspired decision.

Football, however, can change very quickly and few United fans are shedding too many tears at Ronaldo’s acrimonious departure with Ten Hag clearly better off without his sulky sideshow.

This is the fifth time in his illustrious career that Ronaldo has left a club. So what happens to their fortunes when he walks through the exit door? We trace back the forward’s career to find out.

Ronaldo (right) has had a fractured relationship with Ten Hag since the Dutchman's arrival

Ronaldo (right) has had a fractured relationship with Ten Hag since the Dutchman’s arrival

SPORTING LISBON

The backstory: Ronaldo was a noodle-haired teenager with blond highlights when he burst onto the scene at Sporting Lisbon in his homeland during the 2002-03 season.

He scored five goals in 31 appearances during his first full campaign as a professional, with his performances and abundant promise attracting interest from Liverpool, Arsenal, Barcelona and other top clubs.

The transfer: However, Sir Alex Ferguson refused to leave Lisbon without signing Ronaldo for Manchester United after he tore his defenders apart during a pre-season friendly in 2003.

Rio Ferdinand later quipped that John O’Shea ‘needed an oxygen tank’ after failing to get anywhere near the mercurial teenager during the game.

Fortunately, Ferguson was seriously impressed and a transfer fee of £12.24million was quickly negotiated.

A teenage Ronaldo left John O'Shea in knots during United's 2003 pre-season friendly against Sporting Lisbon and Sir Alex Ferguson signed the youngster on the spot

A teenage Ronaldo left John O’Shea in knots during United’s 2003 pre-season friendly against Sporting Lisbon and Sir Alex Ferguson signed the youngster on the spot

Ronaldo was soon in United colours and beginning to write his name in the history books

Ronaldo was soon in United colours and beginning to write his name in the history books

What happened next? Sporting had been champions of Portugal in 2001-02 but had slipped into the shadow of Jose Mourinho’s dominant Porto side with a third-place finish the next year.

The season after Ronaldo’s exit, they again finished in third, agonisingly missing out on Champions League qualification to local rivals Benfica by a single point as Porto won the title.

Embarrassingly, they were beaten by Turkish club Genclerbirligi in the UEFA Cup second round, losing 3-0 in the second leg at home.

While Ronaldo’s sale was one factor in their slump, arguably a bigger factor was the transfer of their Brazilian top scorer Jardel, who left for Bolton that same summer.

However, some of the transfer profits were reinvested in another Brazilian striker, Liedson, who would become something of a legend by scoring 173 goals in 313 games for Sporting.

And indeed by 2004-05, they were making progress again, reaching the UEFA Cup final where they were beaten in their own stadium by CSKA Moscow.

The departure of Jardel, their top scorer, to Bolton also in 2003 was arguably more damaging

The departure of Jardel, their top scorer, to Bolton also in 2003 was arguably more damaging

Sporting celebrate their goal in the 2005 UEFA Cup final - but it would end in disappointment

Sporting celebrate their goal in the 2005 UEFA Cup final – but it would end in disappointment

MANCHESTER UNITED

The backstory: Even since the moment he dazzled the Old Trafford crowd with his step-overs and flicks during a cameo on debut against Bolton, it was clear Ronaldo was very special indeed.

His goal returns increased with each season and he was integral in United’s rise to not only the dominant Premier League force again but also a team that could compete in the Champions League.

This culminated in 2007-08, when the irrepressible Ronaldo scored 42 times in all competitions as Ferguson’s final great side won a double of Premier League and Champions League.

In total, Ronaldo scored 118 goals in 292 games during his first spell at Old Trafford, helping them win three Premier League titles, the FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup.

It also established him, in his early 20s, as one of the finest footballers in the world and true man for the big occasion.

Ronaldo was hugely successful at Old Trafford, helping United win the Champions League

Ronaldo was hugely successful at Old Trafford, helping United win the Champions League 

Ronaldo and Rio Ferdinand celebrate United's Premier League title success in 2007

Ronaldo and Rio Ferdinand celebrate United’s Premier League title success in 2007

The transfer: Ronaldo had wanted to leave and join Real Madrid after United beat Chelsea in the Moscow Champions League final of 2008.

As has always been the case, Real represented the pinnacle of European football and they had the cash to splash.

There was acrimony at the time, with United accusing Real of tampering and FIFA president Sepp Blatter comparing the situation to ‘modern slavery.’

Ferguson had famously said he wouldn’t sell ‘that mob a virus’ but by the summer of 2009, after Ronaldo’s 26 goals had led United to another league title and another European final, the great Scot instinctively knew it was time to let go.

In scenes that would be echoed many times, Ronaldo’s childish body language had become a nuisance to United fans and team-mates alike, while no effort was made to hide his desire to move to the Bernabeu.

Although Ferguson was Ronaldo’s mentor and they shared a close bond, the pain of the separation was eased by a world-record fee of some £80million, allowing United to move on again.

Sir Alex Ferguson had a close bond with Ronaldo but instinctively knew it was time to sell him

Sir Alex Ferguson had a close bond with Ronaldo but instinctively knew it was time to sell him

Tens of thousands of excited fans welcomed Ronaldo to Real Madrid at his Bernabeu unveiling

Tens of thousands of excited fans welcomed Ronaldo to Real Madrid at his Bernabeu unveiling

What happened next? Although it was a footballing decision, Ronaldo’s record sale came at a handy time.

The following year it emerged the Glazer family – United’s American owners – were £1.1billion in debt after the effects of the global financial crash on their empire of shopping malls in the US.

United’s financial figures in October 2010 showed a club-record loss of £83.6m, a figure that certainly looked a lot healthier thanks to the Ronaldo income.

Part of the reason was a disappointing 2009-10 season in which United failed to replace Ronaldo’s goals and surrendered their Premier League crown to Chelsea.

They also regressed in Europe, losing to Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.

Chelsea stole Manchester United's Premier League crown in the season after Ronaldo left

Chelsea stole Manchester United’s Premier League crown in the season after Ronaldo left

United regressed in Europe as well, as Arjen Robben inspired Bayern to quarter-final victory

United regressed in Europe as well, as Arjen Robben inspired Bayern to quarter-final victory

Although the Ronaldo sale was concluded at the start of July, United failed to adequately reinforce their forward line with Michael Owen, a free agent, the headline signing in that area.

Despite his best efforts, and those of Wayne Rooney who scored 26 goals in the league alone, United were hopelessly outscored by Chelsea (103 to 86 goals) and finished second by a point.

In fairness, United weren’t down for too long. They regained the Premier League title in 2010-11 and reached another Champions League final, losing to Barcelona.

United sold Ronaldo at the right moment, however. It’s clear looking back that keeping him against his will would have caused more trouble than it was worth.

REAL MADRID

The backstory: Ronaldo’s numbers as a Real Madrid player really do speak for themselves – 450 goals in 438 matches, four Champions League wins, two league titles and plenty more trimmings.

It was a nine-season stay that absolutely confirmed his status as one of the best – if not, the best – footballer in the world and one of the greatest ever.

Unerringly there to make a difference in the decisive games of any season, Ronaldo restored Real Madrid to prominence in European football – something that still remains now.

Ronaldo won the Champions League four times - making it five for him overall - at Real Madrid

Ronaldo won the Champions League four times – making it five for him overall – at Real Madrid

His astonishing record in Real Madrid colours would read 450 goals in 438 matches

His astonishing record in Real Madrid colours would read 450 goals in 438 matches 

The transfer: In 2018, aged 33, Ronaldo had just helped Real complete a hat-trick of Champions League victories – an astonishing feat.

Ronaldo had agitated for an improved contract earlier in the season, saying he felt betrayed (sound familiar?) by the club after all he’d done for them.

President Florentino Perez had promised talks but after the Champions League final with Liverpool, Ronaldo spoke in the past tense about his time with the club. ‘It has been very nice being at Real Madrid,’ he said.

Deciding a new challenge was best, Ronaldo signed a four-year contract with Juventus that summer in a deal worth £100m.

Upon signing, he pointed the finger of blame squarely at Perez for his departure, saying he started feeling he was ‘no longer indispensable to them.’

The once close relationship between Ronaldo and Florentino Perez soured over a new contract

The once close relationship between Ronaldo and Florentino Perez soured over a new contract

That led to Ronaldo being bought by Italian giants Juventus for £100m in the summer of 2018

That led to Ronaldo being bought by Italian giants Juventus for £100m in the summer of 2018

What happened next? In short, Real had an absolute nightmare.

First of all, it should be explained that Real’s finances were a key factor in the decision to sell Ronaldo.

His £100m sale also wiped out his £42million annual wages, which made all the difference in 2018 between the club posting a £43m profit as opposed to a loss of £87m.

Poor Mariano Diaz never stood much chance filling the boots of the great man

Poor Mariano Diaz never stood much chance filling the boots of the great man

In short, he’s already become too expensive to keep on the books and that was even before any improved contract.

But despite all that money to reinvest, Real tried to do things on the cheap and paid the prices with their worst season in almost two decades.

Ronaldo’s replacement was the Dominican Republic forward Mariano from Lyon. He’s still at the club but let’s not kid ourselves – he was never going to fill those gargantuan shoes.

Mariano scored four times that season and, despite a valiant effort of 30 goals from Karim Benzema, Real were never able to compensate for the 44 Ronaldo had scored in 2017-18.

Consequently, they finished third in LaLiga, a gaping 19 points behind champions Barcelona and with their worst points total (68) since 2001-02 and their worst goal difference (+17) since 1999-2000.

Their grip on the Champions League was ended by Ajax, who won 4-1 in the Bernabeu in the last-16 to go through 5-3 on aggregate. They were also crushed by Barca in the Copa del Rey semi-finals.

Real would endure one of their worst-ever seasons in the campaign after Ronaldo left

Real would endure one of their worst-ever seasons in the campaign after Ronaldo left

Their stranglehold on the Champions League was broken by Ajax in a stunning last-16 tie

Their stranglehold on the Champions League was broken by Ajax in a stunning last-16 tie

To add to the impression of post-Ronaldo turmoil, they also got through three managers. The hapless Julen Lopetegui was sacked in October after a 5-1 defeat in the Clasico.

Santiago Solari tried to steady things but he was fired in March to make way for the returning Zinedine Zidane, who’d only stepped down the previous June.

But before you begin to conclude that Perez should maybe have sanctioned that pay rise, Real have since returned to prominence with a couple of league titles and last season’s Champions League win.

JUVENTUS

The backstory: Ronaldo’s three years at Juventus were on the face of it pretty successful with two Serie A titles and 101 goals in 134 games marking him out as one of the club’s most prolific scorers ever.

The club had won the previous seven Scudettos and signing Ronaldo was merely a confirmation of their pre-eminent position in Italian football and a signal they wanted to conquer Europe again.

However, the Champions League magic Ronaldo brought to Real Madrid didn’t rub off in Turin. They were stunned by Ajax in the quarter-finals in 2018-19, lost shockingly to Lyon in the last-16 the following season and then Porto at the same stage the year after that.

So his time there will always have an aftertaste of regret.

Ronaldo with partner Georgina and the Serie A trophy after Juventus won the league in 2019

Ronaldo with partner Georgina and the Serie A trophy after Juventus won the league in 2019

But there would be many embarrassing defeats for Ronaldo's Juventus in Europe

But there would be many embarrassing defeats for Ronaldo’s Juventus in Europe 

The transfer: Ronaldo finished 2020-21 as Italy’s leading goalscorer with 29 but trouble was brewing.

Juventus endured a poor season by their standards under Andrea Pirlo, finishing only fourth and again crashing out of the Champions League in the last 16.

Despite Ronaldo’s goals, there had been murmurings of discontent that the team was too centred around his wishes and his body language yet again helped nobody.

As his friend Patrice Evra suggested, Ronaldo had maybe become a scapegoat for the team’s shortcomings in Europe and now their domestic hegemony was sacrificed, there really was an issue.

At the beginning of the following season, Ronaldo, 36, told new coach Max Allegri he had ‘no intention’ of staying at the club and he was linked with Manchester City before being persuaded by Ferguson and former colleagues to follow his heart back to United instead.

United paid an initial £12.85m to sign Ronaldo and he returned amid much fanfare to score twice on his second debut against Newcastle at Old Trafford. The rest we know.

The old Ronaldo petulance returned to the fore as Juventus slipped back badly in Serie A

The old Ronaldo petulance returned to the fore as Juventus slipped back badly in Serie A

Ronaldo duly returned to Old Trafford amid much fanfare, scoring twice on his second debut

Ronaldo duly returned to Old Trafford amid much fanfare, scoring twice on his second debut

What happened next? Juve’s fortune didn’t really improve as they once again finished fourth in Serie A. They also scored only 57 league goals as opposed to 77 in Ronaldo’s final season with their top league goalscorer Paulo Dybala on a paltry 10.

They also lost embarrassingly 3-0 at home to Villarreal in their Champions League last-16 tie, going out 4-1 on aggregate. In addition, they lost the Coppa Italia final to Inter Milan.

Despite this, Ronaldo’s departure seemed to improve team harmony. It wasn’t long back in United red when former team-mates started laying into him.

Giorgio Chiellini said Ronaldo should have left earlier to allow the team to better prepare without him and Leonardo Bonucci said it was ‘absolutely true’ Juventus were a better team without him.

Juventus haven't really seen their fortunes improve any both in Europe and the Italian league

Juventus haven’t really seen their fortunes improve any both in Europe and the Italian league

Defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci were not sad to see Ronaldo depart

Defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci were not sad to see Ronaldo depart

‘This year we are discovering that right humility that it serves to regain victory,’ he said.

Allegri said later in the season: ‘I think that personal targets have been put aside and there is more focus on the team.’

Not that it translated into an immediate upturn of fortunes. That’s continued this season – while Ronaldo hasn’t got a club, Juventus remain 10 points of the pace in Serie A and bombed out into the Europa League.

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