Cristiano Ronaldo’s first goal on Man Utd return in pictures
Manchester United players want Cristiano Ronaldo to have a ‘bigger and more regular role’ as a link between the dressing room and club’s coaching staff, according to reports. The Portugal international is the biggest asset within Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad. And he’ll be hoping to continue his fine form when the Red Devils go up against Liverpool on Sunday.
Ronaldo returned to United during the summer transfer window, returning from Juventus after 12 years away.
And while the Red Devils have been inconsistent so far this season, the 36-year-old has delivered with six goals across all competitions.
Ronaldo’s latest goal, against Atalanta, helped ease some of the pressure on Solskjaer’s shoulders.
Had they lost that match, the Norwegian would have been in the mire - with his side facing a Champions League group stage exit for the second year in succession.
But while United did win, all isn’t well behind the scenes.
The Sun say that, with players questioning Solskjaer’s methods and tactics, some want Ronaldo to take on a new role.
Man Utd star Cristiano Ronaldo is primed to start Liverpool clash (Image: GETTY)
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“To play for Manchester United and to be a coach of Manchester United you will always be criticised, and you have to accept that it’s part of the business to criticise you.
“You play for one of the biggest clubs in the world, all eyes are on you and it is normal. You have to deal with it.
“The coaches, the players, when we lose we are in the same boat, when we win it is the same.
“You have to deal with the pressure, the pressure is here, it will continue to be here when you win or lose and you have to deal with that.
“It is part of the job.”
Ronaldo also recently opened up on his recent strop in the 1-1 draw with Everton.
Man Utd star Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't want to be seen as critical of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (Image: GETTY)
The veteran stormed straight down the tunnel after that disappointing result, having been left on the bench beforehand.
"I don't like to lose. [It was a] draw? Draw - but for me, to draw against Everton - who have my whole respect - at home is like a loss,” he said.
“Maybe I'm thinking wrong, but this is the way I motivate myself and win stuff during my career and I play for the most important clubs in the world.
"So, as I said, criticism will always exist here. I'm not hiding from that and, to be honest, I really don't care because I know football is like that.
“My reactions are what I feel at that moment. Most of the time when I talk it's very, very positive but sometimes, depending on the game, maybe you say things that you don't agree or whatever but it's me.
Man Utd star Cristiano Ronaldo is happy to let Harry Maguire be the club's 'mouthpiece' (Image: GETTY)
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"Everyone knows me. I've always been like that; I'm not going to change now with my age.
“I will always give 100 per cent for this club and my reactions is part of what I am.
“I don't want to hurt anybody. I know there will be eyes on me because of what I am, what I achieve, what I win.
"They don't want to give me credit for the good things; they're always going to find the bad things but for me it's not a problem.
“Life's a constant lesson and I still learn with my mistakes, trying to improve the next game."