Krishnan Sreekumar
Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick urges incoming new boss Erik ten Hag to retain Cristiano Ronaldo
Speaking after his side’s 3-0 win over Brentford last night (h/t Daily Mail), Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick urged incoming new boss Erik ten Hag to keep Cristiano Ronaldo in his team next season.
Ronaldo got himself on the scoresheet once again at Old Trafford yesterday, dispatching a penalty past David Raya and added one more to his goal tally for the campaign. He won the spot-kick after he was brushed inside the penalty box by Rico Henry.
Rangnick hailed the Portuguese forward’s display against the Bees, saying that he not only scored the penalty, but also won it and helped out defensively. The German also posed the question of keeping Ronaldo for another season to both his successor and the player himself.
“The way we played again tonight, not only because he scored he also won the penalty and helped defensively, why should he not be part of the squad and help the team? But this is a question you have to ask Erik and also Cristiano.”
Ronaldo moved back to United last summer on a two-year deal, and it is not known if he will stay until the end of his contract if the club miss out on Champions League football next term, which looks very likely at the moment. Further, it is unsure if ten Hag sees the club legend as part of his plans when he takes over.
“Cristiano is not a central striker”
The 37-year-old has now scored in his previous four Premier League games, which also includes a hat-trick against Norwich in front of the home supporters. After a dismal start to 2022, the former Real Madrid man seems to have found his scoring boots once again.
Rangnick had a message for ten Hag as well, saying that the club needs two more quality strikers in the summer to get back on track after a disappointing campaign. The former RB Leipzig manager also said that Ronaldo was not a central striker and does not want to play in that position.
“Cristiano is not a central striker. He does not want to play in that position but if you look at international football there are not many teams who play with two strikers. For me, it is a question of what players Manchester United have in the future. It is obvious United need two more quality strikers.”
After a thoroughly convincing win last night to see off the last home game of the season, the Red Devils will need to buck up and continue this form in the remaining two matches of the campaign if they are to stand any chance of qualifying for the UCL next term.
ten Hag is expected to come in and change the fortunes of a team that has struggled to get going this time around, after finishing as runners-up in the Premier League last season. David de Gea and Ronaldo have been the few bright spots in the current campaign, but it is upto the Dutchman to decide who he wants to keep in his new-look team.
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The Ajax manager is likely to bring over his style of play from Holland and implement it at Old Trafford. The incoming new boss is known for his attacking style of football and building his team around young and dynamic players, which could put doubts over Ronaldo’s future at the club.
However, despite his age, the Portugal captain has proven that he only ages like a fine wine and continues to impress. ten Hag will certainly have a big decision to make in the summer, and it remains to be seen if Rangnick’s advice about keeping Ronaldo could take any effect.
