Manchester United would not have shipped seven goals at arch-rivals Liverpool had Cristiano Ronaldo still been playing for them, according to Louis Saha.
The former United striker claimed Ronaldo – who left Old Trafford in November after criticising Erik ten Hag in an explosive television interview – would not have allowed the team to capitulate so meekly. Ronaldo had his contract terminated by mutual consent and joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr after laying into Ten Hag and United in the interview, which left him with no way back.
Despite United having lost just once in 22 games following Roaldo's departure, until the Liverpool debacle, Saha claimed Sunday's Anfield mauling may not have been so savage had the 38-year-old striker still been leading the attack.
“Ronaldo’s departure marked a fresh start for United,” said Saha. “It gave Ten Hag a blank page to draw upon, which has allowed him to establish a winning mentality at the club. Now that the club’s mindset has improved, I think they’d be doing even better if they had Cristiano up top.
“Of course, it’s hard to know for sure, but when I see United losing 7-0 to Liverpool, I can only think that Cristiano could have helped.”
Saha, who played alongside Ronaldo at United for four years, acknowledged the team has improved since his exit, but claimed the former Real Madrid star deserved credit for helping set his old club back on the right path.
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“With all respect to Cristiano’s legacy and his record at United – which more or less speaks for itself – you cannot ignore the dramatic change in United’s form since Ronaldo left,” Saha told Compare.bet. “But, at the same time, it was a very difficult situation for Erik ten Hag to deal with upon arrival at United and it just didn’t go well.
“But I don’t think this is because of Cristiano, but because of the other players’ mindsets. With the right communication, the right level of respect, maybe a compromise could have been found.
“But he’s still contributed to United’s resurrection by the effect he had on players around him. He boosted confidence and gave players the freedom to express themselves, which has been a big factor in United’s improvement this season.”
United will be looking for an immediate response to the Liverpool shambles when they host Real Betis in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie. Betis, who are fifth in La Liga, held leaders Real Madrid to a goalless draw at the weekend and are likely to prove tough opponents for United to break down.
United have injury concerns over former Los Blancos duo Casemiro and Raphael Varane, both of whom are understood to have suffered knocks in the Liverpool hammering.
Victor Lindelof, ruled out of the Liverpool game with a minor injury, could feature, but Anthony Martial is not expected to return. Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek will also be missing, with the former out until at least April and the latter for the season,
