Former footballer-turned-pundit Jamie Carragher has said that he always believed Manchester United made a mistake in signing Cristiano Ronaldo last year.
Report: Ronaldo Set To Start EPL Season On Bench
Amid the 37-year-old's push for a move away from United in this transfer window and the recent public criticism of his actions by Erik ten Hag, there appears to be plenty of drama surrounding Ronaldo heading into the new season.
Carragher, though, believes the state of affairs surrounding the five-time Ballon d'Or winner was always likely, and that Ten Hag will be happy to part ways with Ronaldo should he eventually be able to find a new club.
"I always thought he was a bizarre signing," he said on Sky Sports' The Overlap, according to the Daily Mail.
"I always felt this situation would come, even if Ronaldo did great for you (Manchester United).
"He signed a two-year deal plus another year, which I couldn't believe, and he's never going to play second fiddle to anyone, but as players at a certain stage in your career we all know that you're not the same player, and his career has gone on longer because he's such a great professional.
"But the fact he's now 37, 38 this season, he's not the same player. He's still a great goalscorer but he's not the same player. No other club in Europe at this moment wants him, I might be wrong.
"But it doesn't look like United can get him out, so at the moment other clubs don't want him. And I think if you asked Ten Hag, I don't think he wants him.
"And I'm not quite sure the dressing room at Manchester United would want Cristiano Ronaldo right now."
Ronaldo scored 24 goals in all competitions for the Red Devils last season, but is said to be seeking to join a club that can offer him UEFA Champions League football in the 2022/23 campaign.
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