Manchester United legend Gordon Hill has given a rapturous welcome to Cristiano Ronaldo on his return to Old Trafford.
Ronaldo’s signing was announced by the club yesterday (subject to a medical) at the end of an epic and crazy afternoon – one of the craziest days in the club’s history.
It started with confirmation he was leaving Juventus. It seemed at one point when he was boarding the plane in Turin that his destination would be Manchester City. By the time he landed it was emerging that a return to United was all but signed, sealed, delivered.
The news was received favourably by all of Ronaldo’s new teammates at the club.
And club legend Gordon Hill – who knew a thing or two about prolific goalscoring from wide areas – has enthusiastically championed the move, declaring that he ‘loves Ronaldo to death’ and that he will help restore ‘the culture of Manchester United’.
“It’s great to have somebody back to pass on the wealth of his experience, who is understanding of how United is built, and what United, over the years have stood for,” he said exclusively on our Talking Devils podcast. “Don’t expect him to be the player he was. He’s 36. But he’s in incredible shape, I love him. I love him to death. I love the way he plays, the way he strolls around. He’s done it all.”
Hill backed the impact Ronaldo will have on the young players at the club.
“When he goes in that dressing room those other players will have to be on song,” he said. “Those young players like Sancho and Greenwood have got to take all the experience they can from playing with him. I look at it and almost wonder if he’s an ambassador for the club on the field.”
Hill did admit he usually errs on the side of caution with such a big signing – and wondered what it might mean for the likes of Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani – while he also suggested that supporters who remember Ronaldo as a rapid youngster might have to get used to the new version.
However, ‘Merlin’ says that the potential hiccups are worth it for the impact the legendary forward is sure to bring back to United.
“Going back to a club is twice as hard because they remember you for what you were and not what you are now,” Hill told us. “There are pros and cons. But did I like the signing? Yes I did. He’s bringing back a little of the culture of Manchester United. He’s saying, ‘hey, this is what we stood for’. If they paid half of the money for him to do that, and half for him to do what he can on the field, it’s a win-win situation.”
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