In what has become one of the most anticipated Premier League weekends for a long time, The Betting Expert’s Big Stage podcast underlined the monumental impact Cristiano Ronaldo can have as he returns to Old Trafford. 

The narrative that he is too far past his best at 36 is one that Rory Jennings emphasised he doesn’t understand, as he outlined his belief that ‘he is going to improve Manchester United no end’. 

He added that even if you disregard what the Portuguese striker offers on the pitch, his status and mentality off the pitch is going to elevate the mood at the club significantly. 

“He will bring so much harmony and happiness to Manchester United – the whole tide of Old Trafford will rise because Cristiano Ronaldo has arrived,” Jennings stated. 

He continued: “The noise and volume in Old Trafford will be so much louder – they’ll be chanting Viva Ronaldo constantly with him there, the expectation levels go up, the players alongside him try harder – he is a player who demands excellence from all his teammates and therefore everybody needs to raise the bar.

“What kind of player is Mason Greenwood going to become now that he is learning from Cristiano Ronaldo? This is a brilliant signing.”

Nonetheless, Jennings did state that with the signing of Ronaldo, the room for excuses has been eliminated and it’s truly time for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to deliver silverware as Manchester United manager. 

Concluding their preview of the clash, both Jennings and host Joe Ryan picked Ronaldo to get on the scoresheet in his second debut for United, as they host Newcaste, in a clash in which very few punters seem to be picking Steve Bruce’s men.