Ronaldo tipped to succeed Ole Gunnar
LONDON. — Tim Sherwood believes Manchester United have a ready made replacement for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer already within their ranks.
The Norwegian has presided over a steady improvement in United’s fortunes since succeeding Jose Mourinho.
United are currently top of the English Premier League but their victories over the likes of Wolves and West Ham have come amid fortuitous circumstances.
Savid Moyes’ side exacted a measure of revenge by winning at Old Trafford on Wednesday night and knocking the Red Devils out of the Carabao Cup.
The signing of Cristiano Ronaldo, in particular, has heaped further pressure on Solskjaer. Solskjaer will simply have to accept Ronaldo’s histrionics, according to Sherwood, who believes the 36-year-old is destined to succeed his former teammate in the dugout within 18 months.
‘’I can see Ronaldo as Manchester United manager within 18 months,’’ Sherwood told Ladbrokes at its launch of the 5- A-Side bet on Arsenal v Spurs.
‘’I think it’s OK that Ronaldo’s on the touchline and Ole’s going to have to accept it. If he brings him to his football club you’ve got to know what you’re bringing in.
‘’It’s a completely different Ronaldo to the one who was at Old Trafford the first time around.
He knows how he’s needed and if he feels like he needs to stand next to the manager and give instructions then you’ve got to let him do that.
‘’I’m not sure he’d be doing that with Jose Mourinho mind you, it would be very different with him still in charge, but you’d also have to ask Ronaldo why he feels it’s necessary to stand up and give some instruction in the first place.
‘’We’ve seen him do it on the international stage, most recently at the Euros, barking out orders. That boy will be a manager 100%. I would have a bet on him being Manchester United manager in 18 months.
‘’Whenever Ronaldo finishes playing I think he will become a manager, it will be an automatic choice. If they win the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, any of those trophies, then Solskjaer keeps his job, but if they don’t win anything I think they’ve got a manager there in the making.’’ — Metro.