Five years on, Roberto Martinez may be no closer to solving the problem that derailed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United tenure: how to fit Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo in the same team.
World Cup Frustration
As Portugal stumbled through their opening World Cup game against DR Congo, attention again turned to Ronaldo's place. The 41-year-old flopped while other forwards shone in North America. Ronaldo was a passenger in a disappointing Portuguese performance, raising questions about his place and Martinez's resolve to make tough decisions.
A second-half incident crystallized the issue. Portugal carved out a decent chance, but Ronaldo got in Fernandes's way when the United captain had a better shooting position. Thierry Henry was scathing: "The team needs to score, not you. Ronaldo goes into the path of Bruno Fernandes. If he goes into the six-yard box, it's a tap-in. But because he wants to score, he blocks the pass."
Old Trafford Echoes
Fernandes and Ronaldo have coexisted for Portugal, but major tournaments expose their overlapping space. It's a conundrum United faced when Ronaldo returned in 2021. Solskjaer's team, second in 2020/21, was broken by Ronaldo's static presence, which disrupted pressing and dressing-room dynamics. Solskjaer was sacked in November 2021.
Ronaldo's arrival also affected Fernandes, who had his worst United season in 2021/22 with 10 goals. The previous season, Fernandes scored 28 goals in a fluid attack with Ronaldo, Greenwood, and Cavani. That balance vanished.
Unresolved Tensions
Fernandes downplayed a frosty exchange with Ronaldo in the Portugal dressing room in November 2022, after Ronaldo's explosive interview. Since Ronaldo left, Fernandes has reclaimed the team. But that didn't save Solskjaer, and after this World Cup opener, it might not save Ronaldo either.
