The Liverpool great has reaffirmed his belief that Manchester United made a mistake in allowing the five-time Ballon d’Or winner to return to Old Trafford.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United has been panned by Jamie Carragher, who has questioned the Red Devils’ motivation for signing him for a second time last summer.
The 37-year-old has scored crucial goals on several occasions this season, but there is a case to be made that he has made United a less well-rounded unit, something Carragher acknowledges.
Ronaldo got off to a flying start with a brace on his second appearance, but his goals began to dry up at the turn of the year.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner went on a goal drought that lasted more than a decade at a time when United could have needed his shooting boots the most.
United’s legendary number seven went five Premier League games without scoring, as well as failing to score in the FA Cup fourth round against Championship side Middlesbrough.
Ronaldo’s prowess hasn’t helped him avoid father time, and the Portugal captain appears to be struggling to offer more than being a target forward.
In his Telegraph piece, Carragher expressed his emotions about Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford.
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“Cristiano Ronaldo’s pivotal role in Manchester United’s Premier League victory over Brighton served as yet another reminder of his insatiable need for goals.
“However, the fact remains that United committed a mistake by re-signing Ronaldo last summer. Keeping him next season will be a harder challenge.”
The 37-year-old was given a two-year contract by United, which means he has another season left on a deal that pays him the highest compensation in the Premier League.
Given that his end product has begun to fade this term, it’s unclear whether his goal contributions will continue to dwindle next term.
Carragher went on to question whether the forward is worth keeping given his exorbitant wage.
“It is not a rational investment,” the former Reds defender remarked, given the cost of signing a superstar like Ronaldo (an estimated £500,000 per week).
“Let me repeat: I’m talking about this point of his career, not everything he’s accomplished.
“How can I, or anyone else, have any credibility criticising someone who has won five Champions League titles and scored more than 800 goals?
“However, if you sign Ronaldo right now, you are making a short-term investment that is anticipated to pay off immediately.
“United is far behind the pack domestically, and winning the Champions League would be a massive surprise. That is why Ralf Rangnick has stated publicly that United needs to sign another striker before the start of next season.”
Rangnick’s team is presently fourth in the Premier League after a recent victory over Brighton, but their lead is razor-thin.
United lead West Ham by two points and Arsenal by four, despite the fact that the Gunners have three games in hand.
