Aheed Abrar
Pablo Zabaleta wants Cristiano Ronaldo to be a mentor for Manchester United youngsters
Former Manchester City star Pablo Zabaleta wants Cristiano Ronaldo to take up the role of a mentor and guide young forwards at Manchester United. The Argentine feels the Portuguese can impart a lot of knowledge.
Ronaldo came back to United last summer in a move that had fans excited. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner ended the previous campaign as our top goalscorer. However, the team wasn’t able to perform well.
Now, the Portugal international has found himself mostly on the bench under Erik ten Hag. Speaking on ESPN FC on YouTube (h/t Express), Zabaleta is of the opinion that Ronaldo should embrace a different role at United.
“I would like Cristiano Ronaldo to be a mentor for the young players.
“Imagine if you have players like [Jadon] Sancho, [Marcus] Rashford, Antony, all these guys and you have Cristiano coming to you and saying you have done this and that well, you have to understand your position.”
Ronaldo evidently wanted a move away from United this summer. The 37-year-old was one of the few players that lived up to fans’ expectations last season. However, the side failed to make it to the top four.
The Portugal international missed most of the pre-season under Ten Hag. Subsequently, he was on the bench against Brighton & Hove Albion. United lost the game. Ronaldo started the Brentford game. However, the result was the same.
Zabaleta, who played for our city rivals for nine seasons, is of the opinion that the Portugal international has to accept the new role he has at United.
“He’s not getting any younger, he can teach the young lads a lot of things and that would be nice to see. I know his personality, he’s been a top player, always wants to play but I think at some point you must accept that you can’t play every single game and you have to support the young players and wish them well.”
Ten Hag has opted to bench Ronaldo in the previous four fixtures. The 37-year-old has had to settle for minutes as a substitute. The Portugal international is yet to get off the mark in the 2022/23 campaign.
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Starting from the Liverpool game, the front three has consisted of Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho. Anthony Elanga was in the XI until Antony replaced the Swedish national in the starting lineup against Arsenal.
It remains to be seen whether Ronaldo gets back into the side.
