CRISTIANO RONALDO is being heavily linked with a move back to Manchester United – but where would he fit in?
Juventus are said to be keen to offload the former Real Madrid star, 35, next summer.
The Serie A giants want to cash-in before his contract expires in 2022 – and also want his £540,000-a-week wages off their books.
Mega-rich Paris Saint-Germain have been linked with a move, but now Ronaldo‘s former club Man Utd have come knocking, say reports.
With that in mind, we take a look at FIVE ways United could line up with Ronaldo in the XI…
4-3-3
THIS may well be the formation which fits Ronaldo best.
In this line-up, Man Utd should play the Portuguese ace as a lone, central striker.
With Bruno Fernandes and Donny van de Beek providing helping in attack, Ronaldo is free to drop deeper to collect the ball and make a play.
And with Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood able to cut in from the flanks and help out, Ronaldo will essentially be afforded a free role.
But, starting off centrally plays to Ronaldo’s strengths.
Ronaldo is quick, strong and lethal in the air – as well as having an unstoppable shot.
You want to get a player like Ronaldo as many touches in and around the box as possible.
Playing him centrally allows him to do just that.
4-2-3-1
THE 4-2-3-1 appears to be Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s favourite formation at the moment – mostly as it panders to star man Fernandes.
Playing in the No10 role is exactly what Fernandes wants – even if it does mean Solskjaer having to bench Paul Pogba and Van de Beek to throw in an extra defensive-minded player.
But the 4-2-3-1 could work nicely with Ronaldo in the team.
As with the 4-3-3, playing centrally would be to both the team and Ronaldo’s advantage, playing to all his strengths.
But Ronaldo would be able to more-seamlessly switch places with Portugal team-mate – and fellow ex-Sporting star – Fernandes in the middle of the park.
Again, Rashford and Greenwood can provide support from out wide – cutting in when Ronaldo drifts towards the touchline.
3-4-3
SOLSKJAER is also keen on using a 3-4-3/ 5-2-3 formation to snuff out the threat from strong attacking sides.
In this formation, Rashford and Greenwood are able to play more narrowly in attack, allowing Alex Telles and Aaron Wan-Bissaka to provide width from the wing-back spots.
With Rashford and Greenwood more central, Ronaldo would be able to play as more of a false No9, dropping deeper and drifting into wider areas to be more actively involved in the game.
Ronaldo would again have support from Fernandes in a deeper midfield role, with Scott McTominay serving as the anchor in front of the back-three.
3-4-1-2
A VARIATION of the 3-4-3 /5-2-3 formation above, the 3-4-1-2 could arguably be more lethal.
With the wingers playing more centrally anyway, it makes sense to sacrifice one for a playmaking midfielder through the middle.
Telles and Wan-Bissaka can provide width, with Van de Beek pulling the strings in the heart of midfield and Fernandes floating between the Dutchman the forwards.
With McTominay providing defensive cover, Rashford and Ronaldo could start up front as a terrifying striking tandem.
The only concern for Solskjaer could be Wan-Bissaka’s lack of attacking threat, meaning width on the right would be limited.
But with Shaw at left-centre-back and Telles at left-wing back, there would be plenty of threat on the opposite flank.
4-4-2
IT’S the formation Ronaldo grew up with – and it could be the most attacking yet.
In this line-up, United are able to squeeze Anthony Martial in as well as Ronaldo, Rashford and Greenwood.
Ronaldo and Martial would start up front together, with Rashford and Greenwood on the midfield flanks.
The latter pair would be asked to track back often, but have the fitness and dedication to do just that.
The 4-4-2 could even become a diamond, with McTominay anchoring the defence and Fernandes roaming around in the No10 role.
It would certainly be attacking, but without a star name or two joining the defence in the upcoming transfer windows, it could be a little bit too gung-ho.
