Man United told to ‘part ways’ with Cristiano Ronaldo after manager’s reveal – pundit
Alan Hutton has suggested a “parting of ways” would be best for both Cristiano Ronaldo and Man United.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Spurs and Aston Villa right-back said Ronaldo doesn’t fit in to Erik ten Hag’s style of play.
The 37-year-old was an unused substitute in the Manchester derby on Sunday.
As quoted by the Metro after their 6-3 defeat to Man City (2 October), the Dutch boss said he didn’t want to “disrespect” the striker by bringing him on.
As quoted by Sky Sports (5 October), the Red Devils boss said that the 37-year-old is not “unhappy” at United.
Ronaldo has entered the final 12 months of his contract at Old Trafford but the deal includes the option for a further year.
The forward has made eight appearances for the Manchester club so far this season and has only started one of those games.
When asked if United will have to let Ronaldo leave in January, Hutton told Football Insider: “I think so.
“I think it is getting to that stage now. He doesn’t really fit into the style of football that Ten Hag wants to play. High, aggressive, energetic, closing people down, winning the ball back in dangerous areas. That is not really Ronaldo’s game.
“At the end of the day, he is one of the best players to ever play the game. He is not getting any younger, he is still able to finish chances. I thought they would have put him on for the last half an hour against City. But I do understand that he didn’t want to disrespect him because the game was gone.
“Maybe a parting of ways would be the best thing come January but we will have to wait and see.“
In other news, a pundit has saluted ‘very smart’ Erik ten Hag plan after Man United contract reveal – ‘he won’t stand for it’.