Former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher has demanded that Erik ten Hag should sell Cristiano Ronaldo in order to make his mark as Manchester United boss.
It was an awful season for United, and Ronaldo was the one saving grace with an emotional return, and 18 goals to his name. United managed to slip into the top six, and that was mainly due to Ronaldo's influence throughout the season.
But despite this, Carragher has called for Ten Hag to make a major statement and sell the five-time Ballon d'Or winner this summer. And in doing so he can follow the likes of Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola in starting as they mean to go on.
Ronaldo is one of the greatest players to ever grace the game, and certainly in the conversation as the best to ever wear a United shirt. But the Portuguese star will be 38 next season, and Carragher feels as though Ten Hag can't start his rebuild with an old striker leading the line.
Carragher referenced what both Guardiola and Klopp did when they were appointed, as he explained how they were not afraid to make changes that were deemed controversial. And Carragher called for Ten Hag to do the same, as he said on The Overlap : "I’m thinking of Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp right now.
"When Pep came into Man City he just went, ‘Joe Hart, no.’ And everyone was like, wow this is England’s keeper he’s been a great player for City, but it was like ‘No, you’re not here’. When Klopp came into Liverpool, they had brought in players under Brendan Rodgers that summer.
"I think Benteke cost £35-40m, he was a few quid but Klopp said, ‘You’re not for me, out.’ It was like making that big bold decision straight away that makes everyone sit up and take note.
"I’m convinced that Ten Hag has got to do it with Ronaldo, whether he’s allowed to or not. I’ve said this consistently throughout this season: that was not a good signing. Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest players of all time and I’m seen as a guy who’s criticising Ronaldo.
"Ronaldo is a million times a better player than I ever was, I am not fit to lace his boots obviously but I’m not saying that to be disrespectful to him – he’s amazing – but Ronaldo has never played in a team this bad. He’s always played for great teams and his attitude of trying to be the main man, driving the team on, getting the goals, when you’re in a great team that is seen as a positive.
"When you’re not playing for a great team it can be seen as a negative and I think it has been this season. Man United can’t go into next season with a centre-forward who will be 38, even if he does score goals. That’s not right for Man United."
Ronaldo was linked with a move away this summer due to United's failure to qualify for the Champions League, bit it now looks as though he will see out his two-year deal. But if Ten Hag takes Carragher's advice then Ronaldo won't have that option.
But Ten Hag has already confirmed that Ronaldo is part of his plans, as when asked in his very first press conference as United boss, he replied: "Of course." With Edinson Cavani leaving he may still bring in another striker though, providing support for Ronaldo.
