Graeme Souness has taken aim at Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag over his decision to banish Cristiano Ronaldo from his matchday squad - insisting the five-time Ballon d'Or winner still has something to give.
Ronaldo, 37, did not feature for United during their 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Saturday afternoon after the Portugal captain refused to come off the bench against Tottenham last Wednesday night. It was a high-profile moment that drew attention from that statement win, while Souness has doubled down on his verdict.
Speaking pre-match, the Liverpool great condemned Ten Hag for his call to omit the ex-Real Madrid and Juventus superstar. The 69-year-old then took it one step further by firing a dig at the former Ajax manager.
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Souness was pressed on the subject by radio station talkSPORT. He said: "In five years, Ten Hag will be away from the club and nobody will talk about him and his spell as Manchester United ever again, but Ronaldo will always be remembered as arguably the greatest to have ever kicked a football.
"Does that give Ronaldo a pass? It does, in my opinion.
"He's one of the game's greats and you have to cut him some slack and keep him on-side. You know that if you've got an unhappy Ronaldo in your dressing room then you've got a major problem.
"I think this is a problem Manchester United have made for themselves. They have shot themselves in the foot."
Souness continued: "I would personally use him very differently. I still think he's got something to offer.
"Manchester United look to have turned a corner with their performances on the pitch, they are going in the right direction, but they have caused themselves a problem that was totally unnecessary. I think the manager, the football club and the other people making football decisions have got this one wrong."
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