Jamie Carragher Urges Erik Ten Hag To Sell Cristiano Ronaldo

Jamie Carragher has urged Erik ten Hag to make a similar move to one Pep Guardiola took in his first summer at Manchester City, and sell Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo was one of the few United players who didn't completely shame themselves during an extremely poor season for the team in general.

The 37-year-old returned to Old Trafford last summer and ended the campaign with 18 goals in the league, eight more than his closest teammate.

Earlier in the season some were claiming that Ronaldo was the 'problem' with the team, especially when he went on a poor run without goals in the middle of the season, and he was dropped when Ralf Rangnick first came into the team.

Part of his removal was to do with his lack of pressing, but Rangnick soon dropped that tactic and instead brought Ronaldo back into the fold.

Despite all his goals, and how bad United have been, Carragher believes that Erik ten Hag should sell the five time Ballon d'Or winner, comparing the situation to Guardiola selling Joe Hart back in 2016.

"I’m thinking of Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp right now," the Sky Sports pundit said on Gary Neville's The Overlap.

"When Pep came into Man City he just went, ‘Joe Hart, no.’ And everyone was like, wow this is England’s keeper he’s been a great player for City, but it was like ‘No, you’re not here’.

Hart was sent out on loan to Torino soon after Guardiola arrived at City. Image: PA Images

"When Klopp came into Liverpool, they had brought in players under Brendan Rodgers that summer.

"I think Benteke cost £35-40m, he was a few quid but Klopp said, ‘You’re not for me, out.’ It was like making that big bold decision straight away that makes everyone sit up and take note.

"I’m convinced that Ten Hag has got to do it with Ronaldo, whether he’s allowed to or not. I’ve said this consistently throughout this season: that was not a good signing.

"Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest players of all time and I’m seen as a guy who’s criticising Ronaldo.

"Ronaldo is a million times a better player than I ever was, I am not fit to lace his boots obviously but I’m not saying that to be disrespectful to him – he’s amazing – but Ronaldo has never played in a team this bad.

Ronaldo's goal scoring has still been decent this season. Image: PA Images

"He’s always played for great teams and his attitude of trying to be the main man, driving the team on, getting the goals, when you’re in a great team that is seen as a positive.

"When you’re not playing for a great team it can be seen as a negative and I think it has been this season. Man United can’t go into next season with a centre-forward who will be 38, even if he does score goals. That’s not right for Man United."

It is not the first time that the former Liverpool player has criticised the signing of Real Madrid's all time top goalscorer, previously referring to it as a 'mistake.'

Speaking exclusively to SPORTbible, Carragher said, "I thought it was a joke. It was either a panic because they thought they'd get Ronaldo – whether they were kidded by all the social media stuff, fans at the first game, I thought it was a bit embarrassing."

Ronaldo has cut a frustrated figure at times this season. Image: PA Images

Ten Hag on the other hand has already confirmed that the forward is part of his plans next season, as the club look to improve on the sixth place that was only confirmed thanks to Brighton's win over West Ham on the final day of the season.

Not only is his future at Old Trafford safe, but Ronaldo has also been tipped as one of three candidates who could take over the captaincy from Harry Maguire for the upcoming campaign.

Reports earlier this season about the divide in the camp over Maguire and Ronaldo's leadership was one of the biggest issues in the team dressing room.

The Overlap is a YouTube channel from Gary Neville in partnership with Sky Bet.