manager Erik ten Hag will have concerns that and are ‘not on side’, according to Tim Sherwood.
Ronaldo has started just one Premier League game under the Dutchman with his search for his 700th club goal continuing midweek in the on a frustrating evening against Cypriot side Omonia.
The 37-year-old pushed to leave Old Trafford during the summer only to disccover there was little interest in his services. Ronaldo is expected to push for an exit again in January, with recent reports suggesting the veteran is ‘dismayed’ with ten Hag’s ‘stubborn’ tactics.’
Ronaldo sat on the bench as United were thrashed 6-3 by Manchester City last Sunday with ten Hag later revealing he did not bring him ‘out of respect’ for his career.
‘It is a difficult decision for the manager, I think he did the right thing,’ former Tottenham boss Sherwood told Soccer Saturday.
‘But I would of asked him, one of the greatest player the world has ever seen, I would have asked the question, “are you up for coming on?” and I am sure the answer would have been yes.
‘He needs one goal for his 700th goal. He don’t care when it comes and it will come soon. But he needs the game time to be able to achieve it.’
Ronaldo was sat alongside summer signing Casemiro who was eventually brought on at the hour mark.
The Brazil international is still being integrated into the first-team, with his two starts for the club coming in the Europa League.
The two former Real Madrid teammates were seen deep in discussion among the subs at the Etihad, with Sherwood, stunned not see Casemiro in the first-team, suggesting ten Hag could have concerns.
‘For me, that wasn’t a good look, him looking at Casemiro there. If I was the manager and I turn around and I am watching them two whispering around, I am thinking, “I’m not sure if they are on side.”
Why has be bought Casemiro to the club? He’s fully fit, give him the opportunity to play, get him on the pitch as soon as you can.
‘We are talking about a five-time Champions League winner, why on earth is he sitting next to Cristiano Ronaldo, the greatest player we have seen on the bench? It’s different if you have top drawer players on the pitch but those two are good enough to play in the Manchester United side.’
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