Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick reportedly has "major reservations" about Cristiano Ronaldo leading the team's attack next season.
The Portuguese icon has scored 15 goals in 30 appearances since returning to Old Trafford from Juventus last August but just one of those goals have come in his last 10 outings.
Although Rangnick is only in charge on an interim basis, he is due to start a two-year consultancy role in the summer and will have a say on the team's future.
He is believed to be concerned about Ronaldo's confidence but has a lack of forward options. Marcus Rashford and Edinson Cavani have just seven goals between them this term.
Ronaldo produced 28 shots on goal during February - finding the back of the net just once - and has been flagged offside more than any other Premier League player this season.
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And, at 37 with just 16 months remaining on his existing deal, the Red Devils are considering replacing the ageing striker - according to the Manchester Evening News.
Speaking earlier this month, Rangnick said it was "obvious" United needed a new striker.
Cavani, 35, is set to leave Old Trafford in the summer when his contract expires, while Anthony Martial, 26, is currently on loan at Spanish outfit Sevilla.
"This is obvious [that United need a striker]," said Rangnick.
"Edinson's contract is running out in the summer and the club needs the best possible centre-forward. I think everyone is aware of that."
Many believe Ronaldo's main strength is his scoring record and doesn't work hard enough for the team to warrant a starting berth if he's not finding the back of the net.
Stats released earlier this month suggest he has the worst work rate of United's five main attackers - in terms of tackles, recoveries and distance covered.
"United made a mistake re-signing Ronaldo last summer," wrote Jamie Carragher in The Telegraph earlier this month. "It will be a bigger one keeping him next season."
The Liverpool icon added: "United scored 121 in all competitions in 2020-21, their highest tally for 14 years, That is because they were a more balanced, unified team than now."
Ronaldo is widely regarded as one of the greatest scorers in the history of the game. He needs just 11 goals to reach a remarkable 700 club career goals, having already amassed more than 800 in total with international goals taken into account.
The forward hasn't scored fewer than 20 goals in a season since the 2005-06 campaign at United. His best return was in 2014-15, when he scored 61 goals for Real Madrid.
Ronaldo's form was excellent during his final season at Juventus, finding the back of the net 36 times. He needs just seven goals to join the Premier League's illustrious 100 club.
Carragher went on to write: "No single player can ever be bigger than the club.
"And no-one knew that better than Sir Alex Ferguson who, in 2006, sold one of the Premier League most prolific goalscorers, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, because he felt the striker’s personal hunger for goals was inhibiting the progress of younger, emerging team-mates.
"If his United reunion is limited to one season, letting him go will solve more problems than it creates."
