Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand does not expect Cristiano Ronaldo to win his place in the team back right away.
After starting in United's 4-0 defeat at Brentford, Ronaldo was left out of the starting line-up as Erik ten Hag's side welcomed Liverpool to Old Trafford. The hosts didn't need him, though, opening up a two goal lead inside the first hour and only calling on last season's top scorer after Mohamed Salah pulled a goal back for their opponents late on.
Not only did manager Ten Hag leave Ronaldo out of the starting XI, but he turned to Anthony Martial from the bench before introducing the veteran. Next up for United is a trip to Southampton, and Ferdinand isn't expecting much - if anything - to change.
" Cristiano Ronaldo, we all know what he's done in the game. We all know what he is, what he's about," Ferdinand said on his Five YouTube channel. "I think with situations like this, the manager, no matter which player it is, he's going to be looking at the team. Did the team function better today? The team did.
"The result told you that, because they got beat 4-0 last time out. No one's sitting here saying it's Cristiano Ronaldo's fault, but I'm saying he's put in different personnel today and the team functioned massively better."
Ferdinand praised the energy and aggression of his former club, who showed a huge improvement after two defeats against Liverpool last season. And, after the result, he suggested it would be hard to recall Ronaldo despite the player's profile.
Should Ronaldo come back in against Southampton? Have your say in the comments section
"How does the manager change the team?" he continued. "He's got a guy that he knows scores goals waiting in the wings, but the question will be is Cristiano Ronaldo going to speak to the manager and the manager go 'you know what, I can't change this team at the moment and I don't see myself changing it, I'm sorry.'
"I think [Ten Hag] carries on with this team, because I think he saw enough in that first 45 that would've made him go; 'You know what, that's a bit of me'."
Ronaldo scored six goals in his final five appearances last season, but has yet to find the net for United this term after a pre-season which was curtailed for family reasons. He arrived after United's trip to Southampton last season, denying him an opportunity to score at St Mary's, but he drew a blank during a 90-minute run-out against the same opponents at Old Trafford in February.
