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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
David McDonnell

Cristiano Ronaldo delivered damning Man Utd prediction after snubbing Man City "vision"

Cristiano Ronaldo would have scored nearly double the goals he has this season had he joined Manchester City, rather than returning to Manchester United.

Peter Barnes, one of only 34 players to have played for City and United, believes Ronaldo would have thrived under Pep Guardiola in the blue half of Manchester.

Ronaldo has scored 15 goals in his second spell at United, who hijacked his proposed move to City last summer with a crucial intervention from his former boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ferguson called Ronaldo, who was set to return to the Premier League with City, and persuaded him he had to rejoin United, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner eventually coming back to Old Trafford.

But Barnes, 64, reckons Ronaldo, who has scored just once in 10 games this year, would have more goals to his name and be happier had he joined City, instead of returning to United.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 06: Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United and John Stones of Manchester City battle for possession during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on November 06, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

“His goal record is great for a 37-year-old, but I think if he had come to City, he'd probably have 25 goals now, because the good players there would have found him a lot easier,” said Barnes.

“They would have had the vision and the technique to put him in, whereas I think some of the players at United simply don't have that vision to put him in on goal.

“Then there's the other argument that his legs have gone and he's not got the pace he had four of five years ago.

“I think what's probably got him frustrated is that he's not had the same service he's been used to in the past and people haven't seen him.”

Have Your Say! Did Ronaldo make a mistake in returning to Man Utd? Join the debate here.

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