The Premier League's Opening Round Arrives, and Great Britain Once Again Erupts into a Battle of Three Kings

Manchester Evening News reporter: Erik ten Hag did not want to push Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer, but Manchester United's management hoped to use it to raise the club's commercial value. It was seen as part of the club's mission.

As a Champions League and Premier League-winning manager, Erik ten Hag still held considerable influence among Manchester United's senior management.

But when it came to Cristiano Ronaldo, Erik ten Hag's opinion alone could not be decisive.

So the question was: if Cristiano Ronaldo really joined, could he play the center-forward role well at Manchester United?

"First, we need to understand Manchester United's current setup. Tom and Bruno are both elite passers. Then there's Ousmane Dembélé on the wing—his passing ability ranks among the very best of all Premier League wingers."

During an interview with Sky Sports, Ferdinand raised his right hand level above his head.

The gesture meant "big," showing the Manchester United legend's recognition of the current players in the squad.

"Although Ronnie is older now and may no longer have the bursts of pace he had in 2008 or 2009, I have always believed that he is an elite poacher. He can seize chances that others simply cannot."

Ferdinand stuck to his usual line of thought.

Other than the undersized Lisandro Martínez and the wildly unpredictable Jesse Lingard, the Manchester United legend approved of every Manchester United player.

And as Cristiano Ronaldo's former teammate, Ferdinand's support for the Portuguese star outweighed everything else.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

A torrential downpour hit Carrington Training Ground.

"Damn, this rain is really heavy..."

Tang Ye drew a light breath. He and Ousmane Dembélé sat on chairs outside the cafeteria, watching the rain through the glass doors.

He remembered that this was the heaviest rain since Manchester United had returned from the United States.