Cristiano Ronaldo tipped for shock role at Man Utd after retirement

Al Nassr superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has been tipped to take on a shock role at Manchester United after his retirement.

Back in December 2022, Ronaldo became the first big-name player to ditch European football for Saudi Arabia after signing for Al Nassr.

The 39-year-old decided to move to the Middle East after his second stint with United ended in bitter fashion.

Since then, a host of different stars including the likes of Karim Benzema, Neymar, Roberto Firmino, Riyad Mahrez and Fabinho have all moved to the Saudi Professional League.

Speaking to TV Sporten recently, former England and Liverpool striker Michael Owen has tipped Ronaldo to become the United manager after retirement.

He said: “Just looking from the outside, it feels like he might want tobe at the side of the pitch managing Portugal like he did at Euro 2016.

“He looks like a coach, he looks like he wants to coach, so he might want to go down that route. The Portugal job, probably in the future we might have his name on it, you never know.”

Owen added: “Of course, if he does well, then great teams like Manchester United, Real Madrid would then be looking at him.”

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After United’s recent 3-0 defeat by arch-rivals Liverpool, Owen suggested that the Red Devils may have to think about Erik ten Hag’s future.

He said: “I can’t see them in the top four. I think Man Utd are going to need a change of manager before they have an upturn in fortunes, so is anybody surprised about their start to the season?

“They possibly got lucky to get three points at home in the first game. But whichever way you look at it, you know, there's not enough change.”

The 44-year-old continued: “I’m still of the opinion that there's a little bit that needs to change at Manchester United before they can start progressing.”