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Manchester United’s next manager will not be ‘weak’ like Ralf Rangnick or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and will offload Cristiano Ronaldo this summer, according to Paul Merson.
Portugal legend Ronaldo has scored 18 goals in 30 matches since returning to Old Trafford last summer, including a brilliant hat-trick in Saturday’s 3-2 win over Tottenham.
Merson was not surprised by Ronaldo’s hat-trick but believes his goals are papering over the cracks at Manchester United, with the team still largely struggling this season despite the Portuguese’s arrival.
The former Arsenal and England winger expects Ronaldo to be moved on before the start of next season and says Manchester United can not win the Premier League with the 37-year-old in the side.
‘You never know what Manchester United team’s going to turn up,’ Merson wrote in a column for Sky Sports.
‘I always thought the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo wasn’t great. He gets a hat-trick on Saturday and everybody’s going mad, but put the ball in the box and Ronaldo will score goals. It’s simple.
‘The header didn’t shock me one iota. He’s the best header of the ball in the world. He hangs in the air, but you’ve got to put the ball in the box.
‘He’s not going to do two foot-overs, beat two players and then smash the ball in the top corner – those days are gone.
‘But put the ball in the box and the man is the best finisher there’s ever been. You can’t score that many goals if you’re not a good finisher.
‘Do I think he’ll still be there next season? No, absolutely not. I’d be shocked if he was still there.’
Manchester United have been linked with Mauricio Pochettino and Erik ten Hag as they look for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s permanent replacement at Old Trafford.
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Source : metro
