Sir Alex Ferguson believes Cristiano Ronaldo should have started Manchester United's game against Everton, saying his absence provided the Toffees with a boost as they claimed a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
Ronaldo began Saturday's game on the bench, with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer claiming his team needing refreshing after their "physically and emotionally" tiring win over Villarreal in the Champions League three days earlier.
Ronaldo was brought on during the second half against Everton - when United were winning 1-0 - but was unable to help them hold onto the victory.
United have now won just two of their last six matches and Ronaldo looked frustrated at full-time on Saturday, walking straight down the tunnel while muttering to himself.
Ferguson - who won 13 Premier League titles during his reign at United - was in attendance at Old Trafford on Saturday and was filmed after the game talking to UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov.
In a video posted on social media by the Russian, Ferguson is heard saying Everton were given a boost "when they saw Ronaldo wasn't playing."
After Nurmagomedov - who retired with a 29-0 record last year - points out Ronaldo came on in the second half, the Scot replied: "Yeah I know... but you should always start with your best players."
Manchester United are not commenting on the story.
Ronaldo has scored five goals in six games since returning to United from Juventus this summer.
He was first signed for the club by Ferguson when he was an 18-year-old at Sporting Lisbon in 2003, before being sold to Real Madrid for a then-world record fee six years later.
Ronaldo has said that Ferguson played a role in convincing him to make his dramatic return to Old Trafford this summer.
Neville: Ronaldo walk-off puts pressure on Ole
Gary Neville says Ronaldo's actions at Old Trafford serve only to increase pressure on Manchester United boss Solskjaer.
"I watched the game and I watched him walk off. I can't say I liked it," Neville said on his latest podcast.
Download the Gary Neville Podcast on: Spotify | Apple | Castbox | Spreaker
"Is Cristiano upset when he doesn't play? Yes. Is Cristiano upset when he doesn't score? Yes. Is Cristiano annoyed as hell when the team don't win? Of course. We know those things. He doesn't have to prove that.
"He walks off the pitch, muttering to himself, which throws questions up in the air. What is he saying? Who is he annoyed with? It can only come back to the manager.
"Cristiano is smart enough to know actions like that will bring real pressure on the manager - more than he is already under.
"It is what it is, but I think that is something that has to be managed in the next couple of months.
"Cristiano is not always going to score and he maybe can't play every game. But if he's going to walk off like that, it's going to put immense pressure on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer."
Bryankahiga
0
Lol pls see frtom eyes
[image]
they r not correct
MuhammadAli93
0
how?
Lol pls see frtom eyes
Bryankahiga
0
Lol beat cr7
how?
Bryankahiga
0
Lol messi has most goals and assits 8 times while cr7 1 time since 2004.u can check by writing on google and see pics of most goals and assits of football since 2004
hey we r talking about carreer,,stop picking a timeframe that suits ur guy
MuhammadAli93
0
Wat has he done?
Lol beat cr7
MuhammadAli93
0
CR7 has most goals
Lol messi has most goals and assits 8 times while cr7 1 time since 2004.u can check by writing on google and see pics of most goals and assits of football since 2004
kuelnpst
1
Ronaldo should have signed for City
Bryankahiga
0
The man with most assists and goals in last 20 years
CR7 has most goals
Tuplmnpz
0
Gary monk Brighton very good coach,man utd needs him
soccdelmtz
2
I don't think Siŕ Fergguson should be given his opinion as to who should be playing in any game, Man United already have a Manager.
Reednivol
0
Manchester United bought Ronaldo to use him as a scarecrow but players are not scared at all 🤣🤣🤣 Start him or bench him, it’s all the same.
Reednivol
0
Reednivol
0
Even if Ronaldo had started the game, Everton played better and were robbed of a Win by the referees. If the goal was a Manchester United one it would have stood.
Reednivol
0
Enough man! This man mourns too much. It was only one game. Don’t disrespect other managers. This old man enjoys tearing others down
Luzamnouy
0
[image]
Shaw instead of telles but totally agree on every Thing else. Ole has to see this normal starting 11
Akeem784
1
I don't want Cr7 in our team but how can you say STFU to SAF? Its SAF so be respectful
was speaking to the fan base because of their comments bro 👌
Zikklnsz
1
nomnwz
0
How do you blame Ronaldo not starting for us losing if Ronaldo came on at 1-0 🤔. STFU you have to rest Ronaldo sometimes and I dont see any chances to do that with the fixtures we have coming up next. What yall should really be criticizing is Ole's in-game management not resting Ronaldo. We cant keep a clean sheet despite playing two DMs Ole's mistake was failing to manage the game. 🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️ But ofc we're Ronaldo FC now so we make the whole about Ronaldo 🤦🏾♂️
I don't want Cr7 in our team but how can you say STFU to SAF? Its SAF so be respectful
Chelsea_Fox☆addict
3
Solskjaer's head everytime when he selects starting 11 vs other managers head when they select starting 11
chikondingulube
0
I don't just understand why he keeps switching players what does he want at the end of the day? Fred will sack ole wait and see
kaebio
0
what the unnecessary kind of frustrations.
MuhammadAli93
0
Wat has he done?
The man with most assists and goals in last 20 years
ManUnited-Red
1
Ronaldo should have started 👍🏽
bbs
1
SAF should not make a public comment that undermines Ole. A bit disappointing
Luizry
0
No he is not. He knows what he is talking about.
how do u know?
Akeem784
0
How do you blame Ronaldo not starting for us losing if Ronaldo came on at 1-0 🤔. STFU you have to rest Ronaldo sometimes and I dont see any chances to do that with the fixtures we have coming up next. What yall should really be criticizing is Ole's in-game management not resting Ronaldo. We cant keep a clean sheet despite playing two DMs Ole's mistake was failing to manage the game. 🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️ But ofc we're Ronaldo FC now so we make the whole about Ronaldo 🤦🏾♂️
Ruuadlnt
7
Ruuadlnt
1
Manchester united is a confused club,now the problem is Fred 😆,next time will be cr7..sack ole is not capable to be Manchester united coach and stop blaming player,some people are saying play matic,matic who they play slow game,the problem Manchester united have now is player is your coach ole,why Ronaldo, Sancho,Pogba doing on the bench..ole is arrogant and pride
Sadek85
0
You tell me
I bet you never play soccer
Sadek85
0
Ehh you seem not to know what you are talking aboit.
You tell me
Bryankahiga
0
Then check your eye side brother its simply messi 🐐
Wat has he done?
Disciopyz
0
Beautiful Sir Alex Ferguson, we have a brainless coach
joaacikprt
2
meanwhile all football in talks of a new contract extension with leo messi ...if u know what i mean
kadikmrsuz
0
I wish Ronaldo could've gone to man city and have a good manager than the clown we have.
That would have been an insult to the man who made him what he is today.
kadikmrsuz
0
Ferguson is senile, if ronaldo started Man U would've lost.
No he is not. He knows what he is talking about.
Momadklors
0
yeah but he started against Aston villa
kadikmrsuz
0
How many times he didn’t lose with his best 11 ? If Ronaldo start he get injured he would be saying ole should have rest Ronaldo he don’t know how to manage him
Ehh you seem not to know what you are talking aboit.
KaduphiKefasKz
0
that is one of the reasons ole should be sack please....
Alhajishamsi
0
hala big player all
Touabcdkmu
0
Ole can’t manage CHRISTANO RONALDO effectively, and as such must be fired immediately.
cokbkm
0
Please when will Ronaldo and Messi retire?. I've had enough about them in all areas of sport ... even when you buy a basketball magazine, there's still a tag for Messi and Ronaldo article. Enough pls 😑
😂😂😂
ClemJay
0
Bring in Zidane NO2
Zidane should be brought in NOW
ClemJay
0
Bring in Zidane NO2
speciebaba
1
this really speaks of Man United Coach Ole... don't know how to make use of resources
Cueioptuyz
0
How many times he didn’t lose with his best 11 ? If Ronaldo start he get injured he would be saying ole should have rest Ronaldo he don’t know how to manage him
your correct
Luoabcltz
0
Cristiano Ronaldo did not start against villa?
wauaeipy
1
That is the quality of a trophy contender Manager! You don't put your best/winning players on bench for experimentation and hope to win matches. Ole Solskjaer idolise players at the detriment of team good performances, doing the biddings of Glazer's and Ed Woodward. He see the underperforming players as indispensable and must always be his preferred choice of players irrespective of result!
luebeit
0
He is wrong bcz he came in and did nothing. Cavani is as good as him. Ronaldo played the whole game on Wed , he is 37 ans . He needs to be manage. The problem is the line up. VB should have started instead of Fred , Matic as well ireplacing MTC . Martial even if he scored was supposed to be on the bench. So up front: Cavani or Greenwood as 9, Lingard left side and Sacho right. It was ok and wise to rest Pogba and Ronaldo
well said my brother
matty_rb
2
what a crap
duzcdimo
3
Messi and Ronaldo will always dominate the headlines because the definition of football in this century is Messi and Ronaldo.