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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Ricky Charlesworth

Manchester United told they "won't win anything" as long as Cristiano Ronaldo is in the team

Paul Merson has said Manchester United will not win any silverware this season with Cristiano Ronaldo in the side.

The prominent Sky Sports pundit believes the Portuguese's presence in the team will be to the detriment of their attempts to lift a trophy.

The last pot United won was the Europa League back in the 2016-17 season. Five trophy-less campaigns have since followed and Erik ten Hag is now the man tasked with changing that. Despite stringing together four successive wins after a slow start to life in the Premier League, Merson does not believe Ronaldo will aid their cause this term.

Read more: Frenkie de Jong breaks silence on failed Man United move

It was well-publicised that the 37-year-old told the club that he wanted to depart Old Trafford during the summer transfer window but his wish was not granted and he is now inside the final year of his contract in his second stint at the club. Ronaldo was reportedly upset at the club's failure to qualify for this season's Champions League and a subsequent pay decrease that was imposed because of that failure.

And Merson has now opened up about the Portuguese superstar's situation at Old Trafford, as he described having to be critical of the United forward as "the hardest part" of being a famous football pundit.

In an interview with the Telegraph about his career, former Arsenal man Merson said: "The hardest part is when you have to be critical of one of the best players who's ever played football.

"Cristiano Ronaldo was a 100 times better player than me and I’ve got to say Man United are not going to win anything with him in the team."

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