Paul Merson Questions Man United Re-Signing Cristiano Ronaldo, Names The Forward They Should've Signed

Cristiano Ronaldo will be 'nowhere near' the player he was in his first spell at Manchester United, says Paul Merson who named the forward the club should have signed this summer.

Ronaldo has agreed to join Man United from Juventus in a blockbuster transfer.

The Red Devils snapped up their former star man following reports linking him with a stunning move to cross-town rivals Manchester City.

Man United's decision to sensationally bring back Ronaldo has been met with excitement among their fanbase.

But Merson has questioned the signing of Ronaldo and suggested Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should have gone for Tottenham's Harry Kane instead.

Asked to assess Ronaldo right now, Merson replied via Football 365: "I'm going to go as far as say nowhere near.

"I would say he's at 50% [compared to how Ronaldo was at 26/27].

"His numbers, don't get me wrong, are still phenomenal. With him being the top scorer again last season in Italy, everywhere he's been he has done it.

"He's 36 years of age. If he does it this season in the Premier League then you would have to stand up and say that he is near on not human."

Image: PA

He added: "For every kid at Man United - Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho - I don't know if it puts them back one notch with Ronaldo coming in.

"But this will be a player who you watch and go this is how I have to live my life for the next ten years, because it's a short career, to be the best. He will set an example like that.

"Will he win the league for Man United? I'm going to say no.

"I think he's going to play centre-forward which will make Edinson Cavani think why did I sign for another year.

"I think it's going to be hard [for him]. I still sit here and think why not get Harry Kane. He is a three or four-year option.

"This [Ronaldo signing] is a big deal for one season. Only one in my opinion. He's 37 in February. It doesn't matter how well you keep yourself fit.

"I know it's Ronaldo and he's different. He was unplayable [for Man United the first time around] but I don't see that being the case this season."

Topics: Football, Manchester United, Paul Merson, Cristiano Ronaldo

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Darren Till. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

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