Former Man Utd boss Ferguson slams current manager Solskjaer for benching Portuguese star in Red Devils’ draw with Everton; wants best team on the field
Man United striker Cristiano Ronaldo. Pic/Getty Images
Alex Ferguson has added to the growing pressure on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer by criticising the Manchester United manager’s decision to use Cristiano Ronaldo as a substitute against Everton.
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Solskjaer surprisingly left Ronaldo on the bench for the first 57 minutes of Saturday’s damaging 1-1 draw at Old Trafford. United were leading 1-0 when the Portugal star was introduced, but Andros Townsend equalised to leave Solskjaer’s misfiring team with only one win in their past four games in all competitions.
Ronaldo has been in fine form since rejoining United, scoring five times in his first six games, including the late winner against Villarreal three days before the Everton match.
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Sir Alex Ferguson
Frustrated Ron
Ronaldo, 36, looked frustrated, muttering to himself and shaking his head when he walked off the pitch at full-time on Saturday. Solskjaer was already under fire after United’s recent struggles left them two points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea. Now his old boss Ferguson has increased the scrutiny on the Norwegian.
In a conversation with former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in the directors’ lounge at Old Trafford, United legend Ferguson was filmed saying “you should always start with your best players”.
Boost for opponents
In the video, posted on Nurmagomedov’s Instagram account on Sunday, Ferguson suggested Everton got a boost “when they saw Ronaldo wasn’t playing”. Ferguson played a key role in Ronaldo’s blockbuster return to United in August, making a phone call to his former player to convince him to snub an offer from Manchester City in favour of an emotional move to Old Trafford.
Speaking after the Everton game, Solskjaer defended his decision to rest Ronaldo. “Me and him, we understand more than the experts,” Solskjaer said. “It’s about picking the right moments to play him, to not play him. He’s not a young puppy anymore but he’s as professional as ever and ready to come on and he came on with energy and attitude.”
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