Centre back Phil Jones may be the answer to Manchester United's problems in attack, joked fans online, after a clip emerged of his link-up play to score in training.
Ronaldo last month reportedly urged interim boss Ralf Rangnick to revert back to a system which provides him with a strike partner.
A lack of orthodox No 9 options has seen Rangnick persist with a 4-2-3-1 system but following a social media clip shared on Thursday, United fans were quick to jokingly propose the radical move to put Jones up top.
'That's Ronaldo's strike partner sorted then,' one fan wrote.
'Can we play Jones at 9,' another added.
The training ground clip shows Ronaldo backheel the ball into the area of a small-sided training game.
Jones, a centre back by trade, was free as he ran on to the ball to sidefoot into the back of the net.
'So Phil Jones is the answer to getting the ball in the net. Who knew?' United fan Chris Rose added.
United's attacking woes were on full display last time out in their 0-0 draw with relegation-threatened Watford at Old Trafford.
Rangnick's side had 22 shots and yet failed to find the net. It was a similar story away at Burnley last month when, again, 22 shots translated into a 1-1 draw.
A 1-1 draw against Southampton at Old Trafford reportedly saw Ronaldo's frustrations take over.
Ronaldo was present at a meeting with Rangnick and fellow senior squad members to discuss the fractured team's plight after drawing 1-1 at home to Southampton, according to the Athletic.
The 37-year-old star was reportedly the most vocal, and suggested a system change to end his goal drought, which did end the following game in a 2-0 win over Brighton.
On the agenda was said to be Ronaldo's desire to play with a strike partner.
United first introduced a two-man attack in the 3-0 victory over Tottenham back in October.
Edinson Cavani started alongside Ronaldo, and both men scored to delay Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's inevitable sacking, which came after defeat at Watford later.
Rangnick picked Marcus Rashford to partner Ronaldo in a 4-2-2-2 system for his first match in charge, a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, and went with Cavani and Mason Greenwood in the same role until defeat against Wolves prompted a return to 4-2-3-1 in January.
Whether Phil Jones is really the answer following a straightforward finish in training remains to be seen but fans took the video in good humour.
classicprince
3
Zlatan: 🗣️ Ronaldo knows only one portion of the football pitch, the Opposition box and the Penalty mark inside the opposition Box. Hence he covers his face during freekick walls. He can't defend, because that is his worst job. I think he is the only player who knows the entire League Goalkeepers by names, because he spends his 90 minutes next to them . It's unbelievable that he spends extra hours at Training only practicing one thing to score, not defending, or passing to the teammate. I think those are wasted extra hours, unless you are in Golf sport. Zlatan your mouth will kill you.
fizbizzie
0
for sure as ronaldo will never defend for his team.
Culer_till_I_die
3
Jones is only good at scoring against De Gea either it be in training or in matches
yanlmsuy
0
So why shouldn't we wait for 20 consecutive clean sheets? [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
yanlmsuy
0
An assist from a joker and a goal from a joker.. What a perfect partnership.!! [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
yanlmsuy
0
If this gonna happen then we shall wait for 20 consecutive clean sheets from both of them [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Nauteoyolo
2
Harry Maguire trying to enter front two be like: wanna partner with him [Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
wiseman45
0
wow United is finished
ziabdnopsy
2
With goal drough, desperate situations deserve desperate means
Kitbdklmu
0
Our strkers should calm down infront of goal. There's no need to shoot hurriedly and miss...what happened to the strategy of looking for a penalty?
fizzbizzie
2
it will be nice for us to switch back to the 442 that gave us the most glory but then to do that we need a competent CDM which we lack which makes one wonder why we never brought in a quality CDM with all the transfer windows that passed by .
Unitedforlife6
0
David de gea already knows he's a sharpshooter 😂😂