Aheed Abrar
Omonia Nicosia manager Neil Lennon believes Cristiano Ronaldo will be pivotal for Manchester United this season
Manchester United have been told by Omonia Nicosia manager Neil Lennon that they will need Cristiano Ronaldo further down the season. The Portuguese has not been afforded a lot of game time this season.
Since the arrival of Erik ten Hag, Ronaldo has started just one game in the Premier League. Apart from that, the 37-year-old has been in the lineup from the beginning against Real Sociedad and Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League.
United face Omonia next in the UEL. And speaking to the media ahead of the fixture via Manchester Evening News, Lennon feels Ronaldo will come good at some point in the campaign, considering his quality.
“I understand in the sense why he hasn’t been playing, but you can’t keep him out for long.
“Over the course of the season, Manchester United will need Cristiano Ronaldo.”
The Red Devils’ next opponents play in the first division in Cyprus. Omonia were taken over by the Northern Irish head coach in March. Lennon has previously managed Celtic in Scotland.
Ronaldo scored his first goal of this season in Moldova. The Portugal international converted a penalty from the spot against Sheriff to open his account.
However, Ronaldo has struggled to find the back of the net in the 2022/23 campaign. And spending a majority of the time on the bench has not helped the 37-year-old’s cause.
Ronaldo rejoined the Old Trafford side in the summer of 2021. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner did not disappoint in his first season back, ending as our top goalscorer.
However, things have not been rosy under Ten Hag. After the 4-0 loss to Brentford, the Dutch manager decided to make some big changes to the starting lineup.
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Marcus Rashford has started ahead of the Portuguese in the number nine position. But the England international has staked a claim to his spot with his performances.
Ronaldo not featuring against Manchester City in the 6-3 loss was surprising for fans. And now, whether the Portuguese starts for United against Omonia remains to be seen.
