Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo should have started in the club's Premier League opener against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Erik ten Hag's side made an underwhelming start to the season as Graham Potter's men won the game 2-1. The Red Devils looked quite impressive during their pre-season preparations but failed to carry that form into the Premier League.
Rio Ferdinand has questioned Manchester United manager Ten Hag over his decision to keep Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench. The five-time Ballon d'Or eventually came on with the scoreline 2-0 in favor of the Seagulls.
Ferdinand has insisted that the Dutch tactician should have trusted Ronaldo's experience and given him time to gain match fitness. Speaking on his YouTube channel 'Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE', he said:
"For a player, the worst thing for you to do is sit on the bench and come on.
"Somebody who is not fit, you start him and say 'you’re going to play 45 [minutes] and do what you do'.
"He’s experienced enough to pace himself through a game. You have to trust these guys when they’re that age and that experienced – [he's] one of the greatest players of all time."
The former England defender believes United cannot afford to sell Ronaldo as he is their best goal-scoring outlet. Ferdinand has urged Ten Hag to start Cristiano Ronaldo centrally with Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho on the flanks. He added:
"Man United are never letting him go right now. Where are they going to find 24 goals?
"Not even a question, start him, Jesus. A 50 per cent fit Ronaldo, you're putting your money on him before anyone [else] in that team.
"I would start Ronaldo up front, Rashford on the left, Sancho on the right."
Manchester United must keep Cristiano Ronaldo by any means
As reported by The Times in July, Cristiano Ronaldo requested the Red Devils to sell him if they received a satisfactory offer.
However, the Portuguese superstar is yet to find an escape route from Old Trafford and it seems that he will have to spend the season at Manchester United.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner made an emotional return to the club last summer. Despite having a quality season as an individual, scoring 24 goals in 38 games across competitions, the Red Devils had a season to forget.
Now that it looks almost certain that Ronaldo will remain at Manchester United for at least another season, Erik ten Hag should look to make the most of his unparalleled goalscoring prowess.
ruhadrstu
1
CR7 is trying is best
Touabcdkmu
0
A good Coach who knows what he is doing will keep Ronaldo with all his experience on the bench. He is not just an ordinary player, he is a Legend in football. You are any the goals to advance, yet you keep the machine on the bench. Ronaldo himself is the cause of his problems, he could have joined Man City in the first place.
tuybinp
0
Political club even if something is not right some if this largemouths will come here and speak rubbish if the coach decides that his not fit so be it you start Ronaldo is a prob u don't start him is a prob u substitute him is another war his just a distraction to any manager
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Some people claim to be so knowledgeable that they even comment on what they don't understand. Instead insulting someone on his comment, make yours and stop at that. It is true that nobody has monopoly of knowledge, but experts exist in each area. Anyway, this is a jack-of-all-trade world.
tezcdknpz
0
Political club even if something is not right some if this largemouths will come here and speak rubbish if the coach decides that his not fit so be it you start Ronaldo is a prob u don't start him is a prob u substitute him is another war his just a distraction to any manager
fizbizzie
1
even a fully fit ronaldo is not trusted by Ten Hag, what are u talking about Rio Ferdinand an unfit ronaldo to 'pace his pressing' for 45 mins ? [Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
DanishSidd
0
Famceiptu
0
without an attempt? how and where were you watching the game?
@ your house
depbcekrs
0
May be am using your eyes to watch as am blind as you stated
If u are using my eyes u will see better and comment better
hoeikprst
0
I wish Ronaldo went to Chelsea. Blues need a good striker.
Good ideas but we don’t him because he doesn’t press from the frontline, letting the defenders to come out of positions to mark. Ronaldo presence is only felt when his team is in possession, that’s not good
Famceiptu
1
Is very clear that u didn’t watch the ball or u are totally blind simple
May be am using your eyes to watch as am blind as you stated
Famceiptu
0
without an attempt? how and where were you watching the game?
I watched the full game, but tell me the attempt he has made or send the scene for me
depbcekrs
0
Ronaldo played but had zero influence. BE REALISTIC. Ten Hag says Ronaldo is not fit Ronaldo disrespects the team It's better to lose with those that love Manchester United than rely on a guy that may leave before the end of the month Ten Hagis on the wheel and we back all his decisions, not some pundit
Another fool talking. How did he disrespect the team Mumu ?
depbcekrs
1
but he played for almost 42 minutes without even an attempt. what is the rationale of saying he must start first? if you want to be the coach just go and collect the role and see how your colleagues will criticize you
Is very clear that u didn’t watch the ball or u are totally blind simple
Lumcdekos
1
but he played for almost 42 minutes without even an attempt. what is the rationale of saying he must start first? if you want to be the coach just go and collect the role and see how your colleagues will criticize you
without an attempt? how and where were you watching the game?
AmajuoyiKingsley
5
Ronaldo is one of the best no hate to me I want to always see him in UCL
Zuuerst
0
Coach try this as your first eleven and thank me later
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then would not get a space in a whole match. this thing never gonna work. ole ole and ricknicg both applied it, nothing worked
Nokbdlryz
0
Finally Someone See beyound their Nose
Famceiptu
1
but he played for almost 42 minutes without even an attempt. what is the rationale of saying he must start first? if you want to be the coach just go and collect the role and see how your colleagues will criticize you
dinadmops
0
Manchester United oldies are the reason United is not progressing. They talk too much. They always want to direct the coach as to what the coach should do….
Lovebug2
1
Ronaldo played but had zero influence. BE REALISTIC. Ten Hag says Ronaldo is not fit Ronaldo disrespects the team It's better to lose with those that love Manchester United than rely on a guy that may leave before the end of the month Ten Hagis on the wheel and we back all his decisions, not some pundit
charisman
3
Same Ronaldo they all said is the problem
Lovebug2
1
These oldsters live in the past . They even think they can come to play themselves. History is not what wins matches. Ten Hag must be freed from the influence of the ex players and Ferguson. Until that is done fans are in for a long haul
jibceikopr
0
Coach try this as your first eleven and thank me later
sesbimrsuy
0
Ronaldo benching is not good.
muhalmnprs
1
very true
AsadNoori
2
This man is always honest about Cristiano.
juzacorsty
0
By any means even against his wish? Don't you think it'll affect both the team and CR7 negatively?
Bowabelopr
0
Rashford is still sloppy and I frown at the decision of the coach not to substitute earlier than him did at the closing stages of the game.
zeedimnou
0
I wish Ronaldo went to Chelsea. Blues need a good striker.
Ziybcilmoy
0
Well said legend
CR7Aways
2
Facts plss even let CR7 go since others say he is the problem in the squad. let him go even to BVB and see what he will do
caobiklprs
0
elanga is not good enough to be in man United, rashford, Sancho,Ganarcho,Amad,are better on the left and right
the_Profe55or
0
Ronaldo to Ferdinand after this comment! 😂😂
juoeknptuz
1
The only good news is that Man UTD will avoid relegation
Space_Man
0
Throw him out and the good luck will come back!
Covid-21
2
Rio is right. A 50% fit ronaldo is better than Bruno false 9