Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
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Sheringham: He was a legend but Ronaldo must realise he’s past his best and when a player speaks as if he’s bigger than the club and disrespects the boss... that’s THE END
FORMER Manchester United favourite Teddy Sheringham has argued Cristiano Ronaldo must accept he’s no longer one of the world’s best players after reaching the end at Manchester United.
Sheringham, 56, believes that the Portuguese legend considers himself bigger and better than he really is.
And he warns that some awkward conversations will still need to be had at Old Trafford after the World Cup following Ronaldo’s explosive interview this week.
The ex-united and England striker said (right): “He has been one of the best two players over the past 20 years, there is no denying that, but when a player speaks as if he is seemingly bigger than the football club... that can’t happen.
“He thinks he’s bigger and better than where he is at. He needs to realise he’s past his best as a footballer. He’s not in his late 20s any more, he’s in his late 30s, and you need to be used sparingly.
“That he doesn’t respect the manager is the main thing. That’s the end of him at Manchester
United. There’s no way he can go back after the World Cup and think everything will be fine. That’s not going to happen, especially given the way Ten Hag has started.
“He should have gone at the start of the season when he made it known that he was unhappy. They’ve tried to make things work but it’s obviously not right. The time to go is now.”
But Sheringham does not believe Ronaldo’s comments will
damage Portugal’s World Cup campaign because his hold on the national team remains so strong. “He’ll be such an influence in their dressing room that I’m sure he’ll speak openly,” Sheringham added.
“But Portugal will be focused on the World Cup.
“This isn’t their problem. The problem will be when he comes back to United after the World Cup because there is a little time before the transfer window opens. That will be a strange time.”
Ronaldo’s former United team-mate Rio Ferdinand believes he is trying to engineer his exit from Old Trafford because he was denied a move in the summer. Ferdinand ( far left) said: “You can’t sit here and defend that from Cristiano Ronaldo. I know for a fact this has all been manufactured for one thing, and that’s for
It has all been manufactured for one thing, for him to leave the club
him to leave the club. This love affair between Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United is now over.
“I don’t think there’s any way back. I don’t think the club will take him back and I don’t think he wants to come back, I think that’s a given.”
Pundit Jamie Carragher suspected this would happen when Ronaldo returned to United in August 2021 and says the club must sack him.
“I think United should sack him or move him on by giving him a free transfer,” said the ex-liverpool defender.
“He’s going to be a distraction, this won’t go away.”
TEDDY SHERINGHAM will be hosting the first of Budweiser’s Official England Watch Parties for Iran v England on Monday at The Outernet venue in Tottenham Court Road.