Pundit makes baffling Liverpool comparison as big Ronaldo warning is issued
Cristiano Ronaldo should not be a regular for Manchester United and should only be picked for certain games, according to former Liverpool midfielder Jason McAteer.
The former Republic of Ireland man also feels Ronaldo’s situation at Old Trafford also compares to Thiago Alcantara’s at Liverpool. Indeed, McAteer thinks, like Jurgen Klopp does with Thiago, that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should only use Ronaldo in certain games.
Ronaldo re-signed for United over the summer from Juventus. Despite a turbulent start for the team, the Portuguese has hit the ground running, scoring nine goals in 12 appearances.
Indeed, he sits comfortably top of United’s top scorers list, with Mason Greenwood and Bruno Fernandes next best on four apiece.
However, there has been questions raised that the inclusion of Ronaldo affects Solskjaer’s gameplan of implementing a high press up the pitch.
And it’s for that reason why Solskjaer has been advised by McAteer to only consider using Ronaldo in certain matches. He sees his situation like Thiago at Liverpool.
The Spaniard’s matches at Liverpool this season have been limited by fitness and injury issues. But McAteer reckons that situation suits the Reds and Thiago too.
“Fabinho should be a starter every week, not so much with Thiago,” McAteer told LFC TV.
“I see him a bit like the Ronaldo situation at Manchester United. For me he’s a player you look at and only pick for certain games.”
Solskjaer is a man under pressure at United, having overseen recent damaging defeats to Manchester City and Liverpool.
Indeed, Monday’s Paper Talk has named the man their board reportedly favour as the Norwegian’s replacement.
Solskjaer running out of time, says Keane
However long Solskjaer lasts at Old Trafford remains to be seen. One man who does think time is now against him though is Roy Keane.
His former United teammate, speaking to Sky Sports, insists serious questions are being asked of Solskjaer.
“Man United are in a bad place, but there’s a way out. Is Ole the man to do it? Huge question marks,” he said.
“Every time United play like that, Ole’s to blame. Every time they win, Ole’s the luckiest man on the planet. But he has to look at himself in the mirror and say I need to do better.
“He came into United at a difficult time he’s managing one of the biggest clubs in the world but if you’ve got bluffers on the bus with you and you’re dependent on [Luke] Shaw and [Aaron] Wan-Bissaka, Ole, you might be better off out of it.”
He added: ”The biggest problem Ole now when he’s brought in big players who have won big prizes and they now all of sudden looking at Ole or his staff.
“You think what are you bringing to the table and if there’s doubt growing in and that uncertainty, Man United are in huge trouble.
“[With] this group, there’s just that question mark and if they have doubt in Ole, [he’s in] trouble.”
READ MORE: Report names three players costing Man Utd that Solskjaer could axe
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