Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed his emotions on Cristiano Ronaldo’s disastrous return to Manchester United.
The Red Devils have been seemingly on the ascent on the finish of the 2020/21 season, when Solskjaer led them to a Europa League ultimate and second place within the Premier League. Then, following an unremarkable summer season, United shocked the footballing world by re-signing membership legend Ronaldo, then 36, on switch deadline day.
Ronaldo shortly confirmed his unimaginable goal-scoring prowess on his homecoming – however his time beneath Solskjaer was reduce brief by the Norwegian’s sacking lower than three months later. And the Portuguese ahead’s personal spell would unravel within the 12 months that adopted, main his contract to be ripped up after a falling out with present supervisor Erik ten Hag and the membership hierarchy.
READ MORE: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer knew he was getting Man Utd sack throughout dismal ultimate match
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Solskjaer has now spoken about how United made the sudden determination to signal an ageing Ronaldo from Juventus when he initially appeared on the verge of becoming a member of Manchester City. “It was a very quick decision,” he instructed the Stick to Football podcast.
“We didn’t think Cristiano was available and that he was going to move. When it became apparent that he was leaving Juventus, obviously there were other clubs that wanted him – but I was excited.
“They [United] asked me, ‘Would you want us to try this?’ I said yes – obviously we know Cristiano is quality, and he’s 37, but we have to manage – he’s the best goal scorer in the world. It didn’t work out for me, it didn’t work out for Cristiano, but it was the right decision at the time.”
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(Image: Getty Images)
(Image: Getty Images)
Ronaldo’s first season again was dominated by dialogue over whether or not his inclusion was inflicting the aspect’s lacklustre performances, regardless of scoring 24 instances in all competitions. And Solskjaer has risked the 39-year-old Al-Nassr star’s wrath by admitting his crew needed to drastically change their taking part in model.
Solskjaer mentioned: “Cristiano when he arrived told me to start him for three games in a row, and then put him on the bench for the fourth game, but he’s so passionate so when I did that, he didn’t like it. With the ball, with him in the team, it was no problem.
“Without him [pressing], we had to change a little bit the different roles we’d gotten used to. We were one of the highest pressing teams before [Ronaldo joined]. We let Dan James go when Cristiano came in, and they’re two different types of players. It was the right decision to make for me – it didn’t turn out to be the right one.”
(Image: PA)
(Image: Peter Powell/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Ronaldo was dropped from the crew by Ten Hag the next season for related tactical causes, in addition to separate incidents relating to his angle. And their severed relationship resulted in a bombshell TV interview through which Ronaldo took intention on the Dutchman and the membership’s course, leading to his contract being terminated in late 2022.
But Solskjaer had no such issues with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, including: “When I was manager of Manchester United, I can’t remember too many problems from Cristiano Ronaldo. It was the game against Everton when he walked straight off the pitch after I brought him on as a substitute, but there were more problems with him after I had left the club.
“I had a good relationship with Cristiano and there’s loads of respect between us. I think he behaved really well in his disappointments when I was there.”