‘Obviously, Cristiano is getting on a bit.’
Wayne Rooney has said that Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United cannot currently be considered a success.
Ronaldo, 37, rejoined United from Juventus last summer and has scored 18 goals in 32 games in a difficult season for the club.
Rooney, however, has said that his former teammate’s return to Old Trafford cannot be considered a success, and the club must focus on investing in younger players.
Rooney: Ronaldo’s return to Man United hasn’t been successful
“You’d have to say no, at the minute,” Rooney said on Monday Night Football on Sky Sports when asked if he believes Ronaldo has succeeded at Man United in his second spell.
“He scored important goals in the Champions League early on in the season, he scored the hat-trick against Tottenham. But, I think if you’re looking at the future of the club, you would have to go with younger, hungry players to lift Manchester United over these next two or years.
“Obviously, Cristiano is getting on a bit. He certainly isn’t the player was when he was in his 20s, and that happens, that’s football. He’s a goal threat, but I think the rest of the game, they need more. They need young, hungry players.”
Wayne Rooney on Man United’s squad
Rooney went on to say that it would be better for both parties if Paul Pogba left the club this summer, but he said that the club should rebuild their squad around the ‘young’ players in the squad, such as Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford.
The former Man United captain also said that he believes Jesse Lingard should have played more games this season, and that Harry Maguire can replicate his ‘world class’ form for England if he regains confidence at club level.
“They’ve got good young players,” Rooney said.
Pogba ❌
Ronaldo ❌
Lingard ✅Wayne Rooney gives his views on which players Man Utd should build around 👹 pic.twitter.com/LtiRs0beeH
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 4, 2022
“Sancho will be better next year, Marcus will be better next year. I think Jesse Lingard should be playing for them because he brings energy, he brings quality. Scott McTominay’s done well.
“So, they have got some good young players, they just have to get them confident, get them believing that they’re good players and performing at a better level.
“And then, obviously, whoever the next manager is, I’m sure he’ll bring his own players in and try and rebuild that group.
Related links.
- Wayne Rooney backs Mauricio Pochettino to become next Manchester United manager.
- Ralf Rangnick lists everything that is wrong with Man United.
- Manchester United dressing room ‘split’ over potential appointment of Erik ten Hag.
