KEY POINTS

  • Manchester United was able to bring back Cristiano Ronaldo after 12 years away from the club
  • Gary Neville believes that signing him is not enough to win the Premier League title
  • Ronaldo's return puts Anthony Martial's position in question

Manchester United legend Gary Neville believes that signing Cristiano Ronaldo to a two-year contract is not enough.

In a summer transfer window that saw the arrivals of hometown favorite Ronaldo from Juventus, Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund and Raphael Varane from Real Madrid, one would think they would be the favorites to win.

The Ronaldo signing is a major one as the once-in-a-generation superstar was reportedly going to Manchester City, a move that would have tainted his legacy as a Manchester United player.

The Portuguese would go on to spurn Manchester City and rejoin Manchester United, 12 years after he left Old Trafford to join Real Madrid.

Despite this, the former Manchester United right-back brought fans back to earth with his recent comment about the signing.

“Cristiano Ronaldo signing for Manchester United doesn't make them better than Chelsea," said Neville on Sky Sports after Chelsea fought Liverpool to a 1-1 draw.

"They are the European champions,” he added.

Neville has a point there and it makes sense.

Chelsea added Romelu Lukaku into the mix after his two-year stint with Inter Milan, and he has had a massive (literally and figuratively) effect on the Thomas Tuchel-managed team.

Sancho and Varane started against the Wolverhampton Wanderers yesterday, but it was obvious that both players were still feeling their way around the Manchester United game plan.

Manchester United still needs to put two and two together, but having Ronaldo back in their attacking formation will certainly ease a lot of tension for them.

Youngster Mason Greenwood will be able to expedite his learning curve with Ronaldo in the mix, but this now begs the question: does Anthony Martial have a future at Old Trafford?

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer recently commented on Martial’s fate, but that could now be in question, thanks to Ronaldo’s arrival.

A lot of things need to go right in order for Manchester United to win the English Premier League title and having Ronaldo back does improve their chances, but they will need to beat Chelsea for it.

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