Paul Merson has urged incoming Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag to "get rid" of star forward Cristiano Ronaldo.
The former Arsenal man has regularly criticised Ronaldo since his return to the Premier League. Despite this, Ronaldo has contributed a number of important goals with his tally of 24 for the season including two hat-tricks.
His goals also played a huge part in ensuring United weren't dumped out of the Champions League at the group stage. However, Merson still believes United need to move him on if they're to progress under Ten Hag.
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"Erik ten Hag must bite the bullet and get rid of Cristiano Ronaldo or he'll waste his first year at Manchester United," Merson wrote in his Daily Star column. "If you're bringing in a manager who's going to be there for the next three or four years, you can't waste one on a striker who isn't.
"Ronaldo has had a good season. But everyone else at the club has been atrocious. Why do you think that is? Some players bring out the best in those around them. Some players make them worse.
"That's what Ronaldo has done. Look what Karim Benzema is doing for Real Madrid. He's scored 43 goals this season. I don't remember him doing that when Ronaldo was there.
"Look at the players Ronaldo is playing with now at United. He hasn't brought the best out of any of them. He could score a hat-trick against Brighton and it wouldn't make any difference. United aren't winning the league with him in the team.
"So they should move on. And when he leaves, I'm intrigued to see what his teammates say. Every other player at the club has failed miserably this season."
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