I see a Universe and Future where Manchester United sign Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale this summer, Mourinho promising them both undoubted presence in the Starting XI, with a plan for a return to the summit of European football.
Importantly, they are of the few clubs that can afford it, whilst offering benefits others (the few that that can afford it) may not.
For Cristiano, he can return to cement his Legend status at the club he undoubtedly ENJOYED playing at the most.
Ronaldo was never booed by Manchester United fans. Ronaldo was never investigated for tax issues in England.
He's been open about these sentiments and there is real no other club aside from Manchester United that can afford it, while offering actual high-level competitive football week in and week out aka Not PSG. I can't see Ronaldo ever considering Ligue 1 as an option. He values level of competition, as seen in his loving relationship with the Champions League, the highest level of difficulty in football. He mentioned it today, 'the best competition'.
And Manchester United is playing in the Champions League next season, and seem relatively safe as far as guaranteeing Top 4 presence, aka CL Football, on a consistent basis. That is key, as this is the competition he (and everyone else) care about the most. EPL Champions and defeating Man City isn't priority, it's being in the CL.
Plus, Mourinho. Him and Ronaldo have patched things up and this idea must be on the mind of Jorge Mendes.
Mourinho has previously stated, through experience but also because it is obvious, the importance of having a superstar in your team.
A superstar that make teammates better. Those are rare, and Ronaldo, even at 33, is as rare as they come.
And for a Manchester United that currently lacks a real superstar, an aging Ronaldo is a good initial signaling point, IMO, for a 'new era' that marks Manchester United's return to where they should rightfully be given their historical and (especially) financial pedigree, competing with the Best to be Champions of Europe.
For Bale, he seems to definitely be on the move given what he said and Zidane's response to it today. Zizou basically responded to both Bale and Ronaldo's comments today with, "Do what you gotta do man. Do you bro" and "Plz don't go :/", respectively.
He's not guaranteed what he wants, weekly starting football, so he's leaving. Only place he'd go is back to the EPL. It's where he's obviously comfortable, and where he can get what he wants and make more money, in again, and most importantly, weekly competitive league football of the highest level.
An attack consisting of Alex Sanchez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale would compete for next year's Champions League as the ONLY real dominant force in the competition, Real Madrid, would no longer exist.
Closest second is Bayern, they could have won the competition this year but they'll be rebuilding as well moving forward. Lewandowski wants out and the Ribery/Robben show is closing its curtains.
Barcelona have been too poor in recent seasons in the competition, I don't see that really changing to a really significant degree given the reasons for these early exits.
I've seen crazier things in football. Would be interesting
