Man Utd have agreed a deal to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford from Juventus; Portuguese star scored 118 goals in 292 games for the club between 2003 and 2009, winning three Premier League titles and the Champions League
Sunday 29 August 2021 08:33, UK
Gary Neville says Manchester United are still third favourites for the Premier League title, despite re-signing Cristiano Ronaldo.
During a dramatic Friday, when Ronaldo first appeared set to join Manchester City, United were able to agree a deal to bring their former star back to Old Trafford from Juventus.
However, even with the superstar forward in their ranks, Neville believes the strength of City and Champions League holders Chelsea - who held out with 10-men against Liverpool on Saturday - makes this one of the toughest Premier League titles to win in recent years.
"The Premier League is at the highest standard it has been for a long, long time," Neville told Sky Sports. "The Premier League has got back to the top level in Europe and Manchester United are up against really good sides.
"In years gone by, I might have said this Manchester United side would have won the Premier League by 10 points but it's such a strong Premier League this one.
"I made the prediction on Monday Night Football that it would [finish] Manchester City, Chelsea and [then] Manchester United and I'm not going to change that because I don't think the Ronaldo signing makes them a better team than Chelsea, who were the Champions League winners last season, and Manchester City, who were 20 points clear.
"Absolutely it brings them closer to winning the title. Do I think they will win the title at this point? No I don't. But now I'm more excited about Manchester United challenging for the title than I was maybe five or six days ago.
"Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane will have the mentality to win the title. I'm desperate for them to win the title. But do I think they'll win the title this season? No. I'm just being pragmatic.
"You have to be in for these players if you're Manchester United. Whether that wins you the title or not, I'm unsure. It gives them a far better chance than they had 48 hours ago."
Whether Ronaldo can inspire United to the Premier League crown or not, Neville is certain the Portuguese will raise the standards in the club - as well as scoring lots of goals this season.
"It's a short-term measure, as is Edinson Cavani," said Neville. "They can't get one of these top strikers; Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Romelu Lukaku were never going to come to Old Trafford this summer. So I think they needed it because they haven't got a 25-30 goal a season striker.
"Ronaldo gives you a guarantee of goals and he'll make the whole place be electric for the next few months. The standards he should set in that dressing room, the way in which he should influence those younger players… there are some younger players who need some really good standards putting into them.
"They've now got one of the greatest football players of all time, who will do every single thing right, on and off the pitch. They'll have nowhere to go in respect of their professionalism, work ethic.
"He's not the player he was. He was a dynamic, running player 12 years ago. He's now going to be a box player, he's going to make brilliant movements in and around the box to score goals. But there are enough legs in that team around him that will enable him to stand up there and do what he does best in this period of his career.
"He hasn't come for Champions League places. He's come for personal accolades and titles. I hope he can be the difference. Because if he can get 10 per cent out of every other player, there's a big chance.
"But let's be clear: Man City have been exceptional for the last three, four seasons. Chelsea have just won the Champions League and now have a better team this season. So they're up against the best three teams in Europe, if you count Liverpool over the last three or four years."
Time is running out for clubs to do business - the summer transfer window closes at 11pm in England and midnight in Scotland on Tuesday, August 31 and you can follow all the Deadline Day drama with Sky Sports.
Follow all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on the Sky Sports website and app, check out the latest Done Deals and watch the best analysis and reaction on Sky Sports News.
