Manchester United legend Gary Neville's belief that Cristiano Ronaldo benefitted from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's change of system against Tottenham could have a negative impact on a number of other Red Devils stars. Blockbuster summer signing Jadon Sancho would be chief among them, and the England international was left on the bench during Saturday's triumph.
Gary Neville believes Cristiano Ronaldo is better suited to playing with a strike partner (Image: GETTY)
During the game, Neville told Sky Sports: "The change of system did look like it benefitted Cristiano Ronaldo because it took the pressure off him from a defensive point of view.
"Today suited him perfectly. He looked like a team he was part of."
Neville also claimed during his commentary duties that Ronaldo 'needs a strike partner' to feed off.
In essence, if Solskjaer has found a way to get the best results from one of the world's best players by fielding a strike partnership, there may be little incentive to revert back.
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Even playing in his orthodox position on the wing, Sancho has broadly failed to impact the United side since completing a long-awaited £73million transfer from Borussia Dortmund.
Ten appearances have come and gone without a goal or assist, and if Solskjaer decides to stick with the 3-5-2 formation fielded against Spurs, Sancho may be forced to either switch positions or spend more time on the bench.
United's other wingers, such as Mason Greenwood, Rashford, Amad Diallo and Anthony Martial would likely face the same problem.
After last weekend's mauling at the hands of bitter rivals Liverpool, however, it was all about finding a winning recipe for Solskjaer on Saturday afternoon, and he achieved that.
Jadon Sancho was left on the bench for Man Utd against Tottenham (Image: GETTY)
On Ronaldo and Cavani's partnership, the Norwegian said after the game: "Both of them have been really really good.
"I said in a different interview, Tuesday morning's training session by Edinson Cavani was the best I've seen by an individual since I have come here.
"The two of them were told early on they were going to play up front as a two and they've been like two peas in a pod, really close and it worked today.