Everything was supposed to get better at Manchester United last summer with the return of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, but the plan didn’t work out. Jamie Carragher, club legend of Liverpool FC, is now demanding tough steps.
“Manchester United can’t go into next season with a centre-forward who turns 38, even if he scores goals, that’s not right for ManUnited,” argued the 44-year-old on Gary Neville’s YouTube format “The Overlap”.
The former centre-back therefore urged new United boss Erik ten Hag to sell Ronaldo in the upcoming transfer window. “I’m convinced he has to do that with Ronaldo, whether he’s allowed to or not. I’ve said it all season long: it wasn’t a good signing,” continued Carragher.
It’s a trait of great coaches to make such unpopular decisions for the good of the team, the former international noted. He recalled, for example, Pep Guaridola, who saw off the then England goalkeeper Joe Hart after taking office at Manchester City.
Does Ronaldo still have a future at Manchester United?
Jürgen Klopp also sorted out former top performers when he was rebuilding his squad in Liverpool: “When Klopp came to Liverpool, they brought players under Brendan Rodgers in the summer. I think Benteke cost £35-40m, but Klopp said: ‘You are not for me, get out.’ It was like this big, bold decision that makes everyone sit up and take notice,” Carragher said.
Ronaldo returned to Manchester last summer, where he had played early in his career. The 37-year-old scored 18 goals this season in the Premier League. Especially against the ball, however, he did not always look up to the mark and was often a burden on his team.
In recent months it has been said again and again that Ronaldo could possibly leave the club this summer. Recently, however, the narrative had turned a bit. New United manager ten Hag said he was excited about working with CR7, calling him a “true winner and a great player”.
With the upcoming change of coach, it no longer seems impossible that Ronaldo will fulfill his contract until 2023.