Ronaldo’s out in the cold as United prepare for new era WHAT WAS THE POINT IN SIGNING HIM?
Keane v Carra as pundits go to war over Cristiano
SO is this the new reality for Cristiano Ronaldo? Has Manchester United’s caretaker manager Michael Carrick given him a glimpse of what to expect from interim boss Ralph Rangnick?
The Portugal star spent more than an hour sitting freezing on the bench at Stamford Bridge yesterday, followed by an entirely forgettable 26-minute appearance as a substitute.
‘Of course, Cristiano is the standout name,’ said Carrick of his team selection beforehand. ‘I had a good chat with Cristiano and actually he was great.’
Really? By the end of it all, Ronaldo was so great he was first down the tunnel once again and barely hesitated to acknowledge an outstretched hand from his manager.
Carrick insisted the decisions yesterday were entirely his and bristled at suggestions that Rangnick’s fingerprints were on United’s game plan.
But ever since Rangnick — the so-called godfather of gegenpressing — was identified as United’s manager until the end of the season, the Ronaldo question has been on everybody’s lips.
How does a coach who insists on pressing accommodate a 36-yearold player who doesn’t press? Maybe this was the answer. And if it is, how long will Ronaldo put up with a bit-part role after a career spent centre stage?
Roy Keane and Jamie Carragher fell out over the Ronaldo question on Sky Sports. ‘Ronaldo’s not come back to Man United to sit on the bench. This is frustration, he’s angry,’ said Keane.
‘This idea he’s going to start closing people down is not going to happen, but sometimes you need to work around your superstar.’
That problem now falls to Rangnick whose appointment was confirmed to the players in the dressing room after yesterday’s game, according to Eric Bailly.
Gary Neville felt the German may have had an influence over events. Others suggested technical director Darren Fletcher may even have been on the phone to Rangnick during the game. Either way, the idea that United pressed harder because of his imminent arrival rankled with Carrick.
‘I think there’s a lot made of that question to be honest,’ he said. ‘When something gets thrown out there, it’s easy for everyone to agree and repeat what’s been said, but it’s not true.
‘Pretty much every game bar two or three we’ve set out to press. We did that today and won balls high up the pitch.’
It was pressing that led to United’s goal and Carrick disagreed with Anthony Taylor’s decision to penalise Aaron Wan-Bissaka for a challenge on Thiago Silva for Chelsea’s equaliser.
‘I don’t think it was a penalty at all,’ he added. ‘When you are in front in a game like this, to have it taken away is disappointing.’
Jorginho equalised from the spot and Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel claimed the Italian had been dazzled by the floodlights when he lost control of the ball, allowing Jadon Sancho to break away for the opening goal.
Tuchel said: ‘He was heavily disturbed by the lights so he did not see the ball. It takes a lot of courage and personality to take the penalty for the equaliser.’
THINGS got heated in the Sky Sports studio between Roy Keane and Jamie Carragher as Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink watched on. Here is the transcript of their exchange...
JC: Ronaldo is not the player he was, he’s still delivering for United in terms of big goals, but I don’t think it should be a big story if he doesn’t start every game or at times comes off. RK: This is a big game though, Jamie. I understand if it’s a Champions League group game when United are already through but this is a big Premier League game. If you bump into Ronaldo in the car park you see a guy who’s won everything. He’s come back to United to try to lift the club. Of course you want to play him in these games. JC: That’s every player though! RK: But if the ball falls to anybody in world football, even now at 36, you want it to be Ronaldo. He looks on it, he looks interested, why is he getting the blame for (not) high pressing? JC: He doesn’t press though does he?! RK: He hasn’t pressed for four or five years. You don’t bring him back to United to sit on the bench. He won’t start every game but this is Chelsea away. You think Rashford pressed today, Jamie? JC: There was never a plan to sign Ronaldo, they only signed him to stop him going to Manchester City. Is a Manchester United manager not allowed to put Ronaldo on the bench? RK: But his stats since coming back to United are good. The game is about goals. What did Ian Rush do, he scored goals. JC: Did Rush press as well? Paris Saint-Germain have signed Lionel Messi, Manchester United have signed Ronaldo. Are PSG closer to the Champions League than they were last season? No. Are Manchester United closer to the Premier League? No. It’s a team game. RK: Ronaldo was never going to get United back winning League titles. JC: What was the point in signing him then?! RK: He’s got them into the next round of the Champions League, that’s worth so much to the club in terms of the business side of things. The share price is up, that’s what he’s back for. JC: Signing Ronaldo at 36 or 37, it’s to win right now. It’s not to win in four or five years. Start getting Greenwood on the pitch, start getting Sancho on the pitch. There was no point signing him.