October 05, (THEWILL) – Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo should have started last weekend’s English Premier League 1-1 home draw with Everton, according to legendary former Old Trafford manager Sir Alex Ferguson, rather than being sent on as a second-half substitute by current manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
As THEWILL reported, with United ahead 1-0, Ronaldo came in just before the hour mark, but Everton equalized in the 65th minute and held on for a 1-1 draw at the end of which Ronaldo was seen streaking straightaway to the tunnel in an apparent state of dissatisfaction.
Ferguson was heard telling Mixed Martial Arts legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, a massive United fan, in a video released on social media that Everton were given a boost “when they saw Ronaldo wasn’t playing…”
“Yeah I know… but you should always start with your best players.” Ferguson said when Nurmagomedov reminded him that Ronaldo came in in the second half. And, Sir Fergie has the experience to know the psychological and mental advantage a big game player like Ronaldo brings to the table.
Indeed, Ronaldo himself had previously stated that Ferguson, who first signed him from Sporting Lisbon as an 18-year-old in 2003, was instrumental in his return to Old Trafford.
So far this season, with the now under-pressure Solskjaer, United have 14 points from seven league games and are joint-third with rival city club Manchester City.
However, they have some massive games ahead of them with Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur to wrap up October ties and against League champions City to kick off November.
Before those games, at the resumption of hostilities after the international break, United will travel to the King Power Stadium for a matchday eight fixture against Kelechi Iheanacho’s Leicester City on Saturday, October 16.
It will be a must-win game for Solskjaer if he is to get some pressure off his shoulders especially from disappointed fans and Old Trafford legends like Sir Ferguson.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
