Mikael Silvestre has leapt to Cristiano Ronaldo's defence after the Portuguese superstar only scored one goal in his last 10 appearances by stating: “ He’s Ronaldo…not God!”
The former United defender also insists that the 37-year-old forward has been a good signing for the club, regardless of his recent form in front of goal.
Whether the club's new manger agrees with Silvestre's verdict on Ronaldo is yet to be seen, but interim boss Ralf Rangnick named Manchester City's Pep Guardiola and Liverpool counterpart Jurgen Klopp as the top two managers in European football.
Ahead of the Manchester derby that will see United travel to City on Sunday, Rangnick also claimed that his club must follow the blueprint of their two biggest rivals if they are to emulate their success on the pitch.
Here are Mirror Football's latest Manchester United headlines.
Silvestre defends Ronaldo’s form
Former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre has dismissed notions that re-signing Cristiano Ronaldo has backfired.
The 37-year-old completed a miraculous return to Old Trafford last summer, signing a two-year deal after leaving Juventus.
And with 15 goals in all competitions, Ronaldo is comfortably the Red Devils’ top scorer, but there have been suggestions his presence has actually seen United regress.
Having finished as Premier League runners-up last term, the arrival of the iconic Portuguese international was hoped to be the final piece in the jigsaw.
Rangnick names his top two managers
Ralf Rangnick feels Manchester United need not look far for an example they can follow to get themselves back to the summit of English football over the next two years.
The German coach is currently keeping the seat warm at Old Trafford as United chiefs deliberate over their next permanent managerial appointment.
PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino and Ajax's Erik ten Hag continue to be considered as the leading candidates on a shortlist of successors for Rangnick, who will move into a two-year consultancy role in June.
Already Rangnick has one eye on the future beyond the end of this season, and outlined to reporters at a press conference on Friday how United must mirror the project at Manchester City to make themselves a force again.
Rangnick on United’s foundations
Ralf Rangnick says Manchester United must follow the blueprint of arch rivals Manchester City and Liverpool if they want to get back to the top.
Interim United boss Rangnick takes charge of his first Manchester derby on Sunday when the Red Devils face Pep Guardiola’s champions and league leaders at the Etihad Stadium.
Rangnick was asked what United must do to get back on a level footing with City and admitted they must look to their rivals to learn where they must improve and learn from.
“City and Liverpool have continuity and consistency on head coach, for past five or six years,” said Rangnick.
