Cristiano Ronaldo’s sensational return to Manchester United could “delay” Mason Greenwood’s development due to the Red Devils’ wide-ranging attacking options.
That is according to Danny Murphy, who believes that hindering Greenwood’s development is the “only negative” of signing the 36-year-old Portuguese superstar.
Ronaldo made his shock exit from Juventus in the summer and completed a blockbuster transfer to United for an initial fee believed to be around £12.8m.
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The former Juventus forward, who has become United’s highest-paid player, inked a deal that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2023.
Ronaldo’s return to the Premier League club now leaves United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with plenty of attacking options to choose from.
Greenwood, 19, has been in excellent form this season and started in all three of United’s opening Premier League matches.
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And the England international scored in United’s 5-1 demolition of Leeds United, 1-1 draw with Southampton and 1-0 victory over Wolves.
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However, Murphy has now warned that Greenwood could see his playing time reduced this season with the arrival of Ronaldo.
He told talkSPORT: “Although he might have to wait a bit longer than we first thought, with Ronaldo’s signing, he could go on to be a proper legend for United. A proper No 9.
“It’ll delay his progression. I thought Greenwood and [Edinson] Cavani, with a sprinkle of [Anthony] Martial, would be the main strikers. Then put Greenwood on the right when [Jadon] Sancho needed a breather.
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“Now with Ronaldo coming in there, which isn’t something that was planned for months, it’s something that’s just happened as a gamble for them wanting to win the league.
“It will be at the detriment of some of the other players. It’s keeping that balance of everyone happy. Is Cavani going to get enough minutes? Greenwood is 19, so he’ll suck it up.
“That’s the only negative of the signing, the delay of Greenwood playing more minutes in games. You learn by playing over and over, not one in three.”
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Greenwood has been deployed as both a centre forward and out on the right for United in his career.
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The Red Devils starlet could be played more regularly out on the wing this season, with Solskjaer hinting that Ronaldo could be deployed as United’s central striker.
“He’s [Ronaldo] evolved as a player, he used to play wide right, wide left, up front. He’s more of a centre forward for me at the moment, definitely," Solskjaer told Sky Sports.
“But there will be games that we play with two up front and three up front.
“I want him in the box, scoring goals... Everyone that cares for Manchester United wanted this to happen but the biggest thing is that Cristiano wanted to come here.”
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Ronaldo could make his hotly anticipated second United debut on 11th September against Newcastle at Old Trafford.
Featured Image Credit: Manchester United/PATopics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United, Mason Greenwood, Danny Murphy, Premier League, England, Football
