MANCHESTER DERBY: CAN CITY STOP RONALDO

Cristiano Ronaldo would be involved in his first Manchester Derby since returning to Old Trafford this summer when his Manchester United side take on holders Manchester City in a Premier League clash billed for Saturday lunchtime.

Things could have been different if Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Manchester City ahead of a return to Manchester United when he left Italian Serie A giants Juventus in the summer. Ronaldo could have been playing the upcoming Manchester Derby in the colours of Manchester City and against the Red Devils.

Manchester City were closing in on a move to bring back Ronaldo to the Premier League before it was hijacked by their city rivals to ensure that the Portugal international returned to Manchester United for the first time in over a decade. Cristiano Ronaldo made his return to Manchester United for the first time in twelve (12) years since he left the club for Real Madrid in the Spanish La Liga.

Ronaldo has been amongst the goals on a consistent basis since he started his second spell at Manchester United. He has scored eight goals in ten games in all competitions since he returned for his second spell at Manchester United this summer, including three goals in his last two appearances.

Cristiano Ronaldo has hit form at the right time ahead of the Manchester City thus leading to doubts over the ability of the holders’ defence to keep the Portugal international quiet throughout the duration of the game billed for the Theatre of Dreams. Manchester City had a very good defensive record in the Premier League until the last three games. The Citizens have conceded five goals in their last three league matches ahead of facing an in-form Ronaldo.

The big news for Manchester United is the absence of Raphael Varanefor the Manchester Derby who has been ruled out for at least a month with the injury picked up against Atalanta in the Champions League in midweek. For Manchester City, they have a doubt over Kyle Walker ahead of the game.