Man Utd FA Cup winner McGrath: With Ronaldo, this attack now terrifying | OneFootball

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·13 September 2021

Man Utd FA Cup winner McGrath: With Ronaldo, this attack now terrifying

Article image:Man Utd FA Cup winner McGrath: With Ronaldo, this attack now terrifying

Manchester United FA Cup winner Paul McGrath believes Cristiano Ronaldo has the "X Factor" the team needs.

McGrath wrote for the Sunday World: "Winning teams need a fear factor and the sight of Cristiano Ronaldo on Manchester United's team sheet ensures they have that all over again.


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"If I was a defender going to Old Trafford this season, I'd been looking forward to sharing a pitch with Ronaldo... and then fearing he might tear me apart.

"Throw Bruno Fernandes, Jason Sancho and Mason Greenwood into the attacking mix, as we saw as United beat Newcastle 4-1 yesterday, and you have a team that are terrifying to face.

"This is what United have been lacking in recent years, with the aura they built up during Alex Ferguson's reign as manager lost since he left his post in eight years ago.

"Yet Ronaldo's return gives them that spark all again, even if manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer faces a challenge to try and find a balance in his side.

"Football is all about escapism, getting away from the madness that is going on in this world and taking you to a place that puts a smile on your face and that's what we saw at Old Trafford yesterday. The excitement around Ronaldo's return has been building since he scored those two goals to break Ireland's hearts in the World Cup qualifier last week and as he always does, he delievered when it matters most.

"He is not the Ronaldo of 12 years ago, when he tore Premier League defences apart week after week, but he is still a player who has the X Factor."

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