PAUL MERSON has added fuel to the fire at Manchester United by claiming that Ralf Rangnick should DROP Cristiano Ronaldo.
This comes after Ronaldo, 36, faced criticism for both his performance and attitude in the lacklustre draw with Newcastle last week.
The Portuguese captain also missed a sitter against Burnley on Thursday night, which he usually would have buried.
And ex-England and Arsenal playmaker Merson, 53, reckons there is ‘something not right’ in the Old Trafford camp.
Merson spoke to Sportskeeda and said: “You just don’t know what you’re going to get with Manchester United.
“They were so fortunate against Norwich City and were never going to beat Newcastle United away from home, so this will once again be a hard game for them.
“I don’t see them finishing in the top four.
“Manchester United are a long way off now and if they somehow manage to get to fourth, it’ll be a great season for them.
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“In terms of their team, I strongly believe Cristiano Ronaldo should be left out of the team.
“It won’t happen, but Edinson Cavani should take his place upfront with the likes of Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood in contention to play on the wings.
“Something’s just not right there. I think there is a lot going on behind the scenes and it doesn’t look good for them.”
I strongly believe Cristiano Ronaldo should be left out of the team.
Paul Merson
Ronaldo himself, spoke on Instagram at the turn of the year about the club’s current status amongst the Premier League elite.
He said: “I’m not happy with what we are achieving in Man Utd. None of us are happy, I’m sure of that.
“We know that we have to work harder, play better and deliver way more than we are delivering right now.
“Let’s make this New Year’s Eve a turning point of the season! Let’s embrace 2022 with a higher spirit and a stronger mentality.
“Let’s take us above and beyond, let’s reach for the stars and put this club right where it belongs! Join us, we’re counting on all of you!”
Man Utd, who sit in sixth place in the Premier League, face eight-placed Wolves on Monday night.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk