Rooney must let Ronaldo go
Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney believes the club must let Cristiano Ronaldo go if it wants to build a successful team for the future under new manager Erik ten Hag.
Ronaldo, 37, who re-signed with United from Juventus last season, is said to want to leave Old Trafford after the team failed to qualify for the Champions League.
“I think United should let Cristiano Ronaldo go. It’s not that Ronaldo can’t play in the Ten Hag team. He can play on any team,” Rooney, who currently manages Major League Soccer, DC United, wrote in a column for Times newspaper.
“Ronny will always score for you. But my personal view is that United are not ready to challenge for the title now, so the aim has to be to build a team that can win the league in the next three to four years, and you have to plan for it. that. “
Ronaldo scored 24 goals in all competitions last season, emerging as one of the few bright lights in a forgettable campaign for United as they finished sixth.
Ten Hag this week said he is happy to have a “top striker” like Ronaldo in the team and looks forward to working with him.
Rooney, United’s all-time top scorer, added that he hopes that Ten Hag will be able to establish a clear style of play at his former club.
Rooney said of last season: “I can’t tell what they’re trying to do in terms of game plans or see any kind of play.
“I think one of the key things you’ll see from Ten Hag is that he really tries to put his stamp on the playing identity.”
United begin their Premier League campaign at home against Brighton & Hove Albion late on Sunday.