The idea that Cristiano Ronaldo was THE problem at Manchester United last season seems to be growing more popular.
Jamie Carragher is the latest pundit to suggest Ronaldo is the root of United’s troubles. Actually, to be fair to Carragher, he has been expressing that view for a long, long time. John Barnes recently said that Ronaldo brings ‘disharmony’ and ‘disunity’ to the squad.
Barnes says United would be a better side without him and Carragher believes Erik ten Hag should insist Ronaldo leaves. It would, says Carragher, be a “big, bold decision.” Too right it would. It would also be the wrong one.
Barnes and Carragher might be two ex-Liverpool players making a bit of mischief at Manchester United’s expense but for a lot of Ronaldo’s first campaign back in the Premier League, you could see where they were coming from. I was pretty much with them. But towards the end of the season, Ronaldo was one of the most dynamic United players on the park. In late-season matches against Arsenal, Norwich and Chelsea, he was as hard-working as any of his team-mates.
Considering he turns 38 next February, he is unlikely to press with intensity but, if that’s the way Ten Hag wants to go, he should make sure there are others who will compensate for that. The bottom line is that if Ten Hag has the managerial skills to join the elite, he will use a man who scored 24 goals last season to his advantage.
He will use a man who remains as aerially brilliant as any player in the Premier League to his advantage. He will use a man whose gifts as a finisher do not appear to be waning one iota. And Ten Hag will then have to deal with the tough bits - telling Ronaldo he might not play against certain opponents and telling him to cut down on the histrionics.
Have Your Say! Should Man Utd sell Ronaldo... or make him captain? Join the debate here.
Robbie Savage has said on these pages and on TV and radio airwaves that Ronaldo is an inspiration to the young players at Old Trafford. Robbie's son, Charlie, has just signed an extended contract and was recently pictured getting advice from Ronaldo.
Perhaps Ten Hag can encourage that mentoring role. Perhaps Ten Hag might even consider giving him the club captaincy - maybe that would make Cristiano think twice before throwing a strop with one of his colleagues. When asked if Ronaldo was part of his plans, Ten Hag was hardly bullish in his affirmation but did say: “Of course.” And of course he should be.
Long-term, obviously, Ronaldo is not going to be fundamental to Ten Hag’s plans. But if Ten Hag cannot somehow make Ronaldo’s continuing, goalscoring brilliance a key part of stage one of his revolution, then he probably should not have been given the job.
