Praise for ‘cold and calculated’ Ronaldo
MICHAEL Carrick praised the ‘responsibility and discipline’ of Cristiano Ronaldo’s performance against Villarreal after revealing he had given him licence to play across the front line.
The caretaker boss sprung a surprise when the Portugal ace started on the left, a decision taken to allow Anthony Martial to start at centre forward, but the duo swapped positions at times.
“There’s not much more I can really say about Cristiano. It’s what he does, in the big games and big moments when you need something he’s there to deliver. He’s got a cold and calculated mentality, he’s so calm, and doesn’t snatch at the chances,” said Carrick.
“That’s what he’s been gifted with and he’s worked very hard at being as good as he is. I’m delighted to have him and not surprised he managed to come up with a goal.
“We started him off the left, with Anthony through the middle and the flexibility we have as a forward line, they chop and change positions, but wherever they ended up they defend with responsibility and with discipline and that made us a much stronger team.
“If you work well as a team and put the full package together you get your rewards.”
The win was vindication for Carrick after a difficult few days. As part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s backroom staff, he has been criticised recently, with the quality of the coaching and tactical instructions coming under the spotlight.
“It’s not an important result for me. It’s for the club and the players,” he said. “It’s been an emotional few days, the first person I spoke to when it all happened and Ed asked me to do the role was Ole to see what he thought about it.”