Man Utd may have lingering transfer regret despite Cristiano Ronaldo double

Manchester United’s recruitment is already reaping rewards after Ronaldo scored twice against Newcastle, but they could regret not pursuing one target in the summer transfer window

Manchester United’s sensational transfer window is already reaping rewards, but they could be left with a sense of regret after missing out on one player this summer.

The return of Cristiano Ronaldo lived up to its promise, with the 36-year-old looking as though he’d never been away as he fired two goals in a 4-1 thrashing of Newcastle on Saturday.

After Bruno Fernandes added a third from distance, Jesse Lingard completed the rout with a well-taken goal – going some way towards justifying United’s refusal to sell him this summer.

With summer signings Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho also on board, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side look far better equipped to challenge for honours than in previous seasons.

But even after the signing of Ronaldo was finally confirmed on deadline day, there was a frustration among some supporters that their side still hadn’t signed a quality holding midfielder.

Nemanja Matic performed the role on Saturday, and overall he wasn’t found wanting as Steve Bruce’s side were comfortably despatched – despite a hiccup as Javier Manquillo equalised when Newcastle hit on the counter-attack.

But against tougher opposition, the Premier League giants could be made to rue their decision not to strengthen their engine room – especially after Eduardo Camavinga’s debut for Real Madrid.

The 18-year-old was heavily linked with interest from United this summer before Madrid signed him from Rennes for £27.9million.

And he made sure of a dream debut for Los Blancos when he scored eight minutes after coming on for Eden Hazard in a 5-2 win over Celta Vigo on Sunday night.

Camavinga will probably never have an easier finish after poking into an empty net as he pounced on a rebound from Luka Modric’s shot.

Known for his passing and his understanding of the game, he also showed he has qualities to bring to the attack, offering Modric an option as the former Spurs man drove through the Celta Vigo defence, before being quick to pounce as the ball came loose following a save from Matias Dituro.

Camavinga was full of running and covered a lot of ground during his 24-minute cameo, with hat-trick hero Karim Benzema saying afterwards “he will bring a lot to the team”.

And the France international will have been encouraged by his goalscoring debut, after his compatriot Paul Pogba previously said Camavinga reminded him of himself.

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“He makes me think a bit about me,” said Pogba after the youngster made his debut for France. “He has confidence in his qualities. He is a very good youngster, I like him enormously.”

United had been linked with Camavinga as a potential replacement for Pogba should the World Cup winner leave Old Trafford on a free transfer next summer.

Pogba himself is in fine form, having set up the goals from Fernandes and Lingard on Saturday to take his tally to seven assists in four games so far this season.

Thanks partly to Ronaldo’s second debut, the midfielder is now considering towards signing a new contract, according to The Athletic.

That would of course negate the need for a replacement – although United will still be expected to target a midfielder, with Declan Rice expected to be among their shortlist next summer.

And they may come to rue not pursuing Camavinga if the teenager’s Madrid debut is a sign of things to come.