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Former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher has advised new Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag to make a statement by selling Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer. Carragher believes the Portuguese has not been a good signing for United, and could become a “massive problem” for the club next term.
The former Real Madrid ace was the only bright spark in the Red Devils' lackluster 2021-22 campaign. He scored 18 goals in the Premier League, single-handedly helping them to a Europa League finish. The 37-year-old also scored six goals in the Champions League to take them to the Round of 16, where they fell to a dogged Atletico Madrid.
Admittedly, Ten Hag himself cannot wait to work with Ronaldo, whom he considers to be a “true winner and magnificent player" as seen in the Daily Mail. Carragher, however, does not think along the same lines. He feels that the Portuguese has to be let go off by the new manager.
Speaking to The Daily Mail, the former Reds defender said:
“I’m convinced he’s (Ten Hag) got to do that with Ronaldo, whether he’s allowed to or not, and I’ve said this consistently throughout this season, that was not a good signing.”
He further claimed that United couldn’t afford to start the next campaign with a would-be 38-year-old striker. He added that benching the no. 7 would also cause a “massive problem” for Manchester United. He said:
“Manchester United can’t go into next season with a centre forward who is going to be 38, even if he does score goals that’s not right for Man United. United need to buy a striker, but who do you buy? Do you buy one who’s going to play, or one who’s going to sit on the bench? What do you do? If you buy a really good one then he has to play, and Ronaldo has to go on the bench.
“Ronaldo would be a massive problem for Manchester United next season if he wasn’t playing every week, we’ve seen it this season, even when he’s coming off and there were times where the manager was right to take him off or put him on the bench, but he’s kicked up a fuss.”
Jamie Carragher asks Manchester United manager to make Ronaldo decision that’d make everyone ‘sit up and take notice’
Having missed out on Champions League football, Manchester United are in dire need of redirection. Carragher believes it can only come through bold decisions. He has pushed Ten Hag to discard Ronaldo immediately, when he is at his “most powerful.”
The former England international said:
“This is the most powerful he will ever be, the manager’s the most powerful the first day in the job, because he’s there and he should be able to make big decisions on the basis of that and I’d make that big decision as the other top managers have done that make everyone sit up and take notice.”
Over the course of two spells, Ronaldo has featured in 330 games for Manchester United, recording 142 goals and 71 assists.
