Benni McCarthy Pushes for Memorable Manchester United Reunion

Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy believes it could be a fitting gesture for Cristiano Ronaldo to reunite with Manchester United in the near future. 

Reports suggest that the Red Devils are exploring the possibility of staging a mid-season friendly against Ronaldo’s current club, Al-Nassr, in the coming months.

PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News in Kenya from Pulse Sports

The proposed fixture, likely to take place in Saudi Arabia, would provide Ronaldo with the chance to properly say goodbye to United supporters after his tumultuous second stint at Old Trafford ended abruptly.

Ronaldo returned to the club in 2021 after a 12-year absence, only for his contract to be terminated just over a year later following his explosive interview with Piers Morgan, where he openly criticised both Manchester United and manager Erik ten Hag.

Despite the acrimonious exit, McCarthy, who previously served as Ten Hag’s assistant, believes Ronaldo deserves a dignified farewell.

 “I think the manner that he left, it wasn't a fitting manner for such an unbelievable, world-class player of his stature,” McCarthy told Best Betting Sites. 

“So if that is the case that United get to play against Al Nassr, it will be a nice way for him as well to reconnect with the club that he's achieved so much with and the club that put him on the map in world football.

"It would [also] be a nice way for him to say goodbye to his team-mates. Because I know for a fact after that interview dropped he just left and we never saw him again.

"He never got to say goodbye to the players, to his team-mates and to the technical staff that was there. But this might give him a proper opportunity to reunite with the United faithful again. And the fans that will be there will give him a nice farewell, because that's what he deserves for what he's achieved at the club.”

Ronaldo’s second spell at Manchester United began on a positive note but coincided with a slump in team performance, ultimately contributing to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer losing his job. 

While he continued to score consistently, critics argued that his presence occasionally disrupted United’s tactical balance. He ended the season with 24 goals across all competitions, though it was insufficient to secure Champions League qualification.

Over the summer, Ronaldo grew increasingly frustrated and sought an exit. Missing much of United’s pre-season to push for a transfer, he was frequently left out of Ten Hag’s starting lineup. 

In his interview with Morgan, Ronaldo claimed he felt “betrayed” by Ten Hag and criticised United for no longer being the dominant force it once was under Sir Alex Ferguson. His contract was ultimately terminated just before the 2022 World Cup, after which he signed for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.

Since moving to Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo has scored 105 goals in 118 appearances, spearheading a football revolution in the region. 

His presence has enticed other high-profile players to join the league, significantly raising its global profile. Despite the bitterness surrounding his departure, Ronaldo remains a beloved figure among United supporters, and a farewell fixture against his former club would likely be a celebrated event.

Manchester United have been considering revenue-generating friendly matches, which could also fill midweek gaps caused by missing European competition, with Al-Nassr emerging as a prime candidate. 

Manager Ruben Amorim has expressed positivity about hosting such fixtures, raising hopes of an emotional reunion. “We have to do it. And you know, we knew that when we missed out on Europe, we have a lot of things to do,” he said.

"We have our fans, we have the budget, we have to to compensate for a lot of things. So we have to do it. We want to be with our fans around the world. If you have to do it, you have to manage to find the space to do it."

A friendly between United and Al-Nassr would not only offer Ronaldo a chance for closure but also provide fans a unique spectacle, blending sentiment with star-studded football.