Manchester United

Manchester United: Rio Ferdinand claims Ronaldo signing may hold club back

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Image for Manchester United: Rio Ferdinand claims Ronaldo signing may hold club back

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has claimed that the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo could be holding the club back.

This summer, United made headlines as they pulled off the impressive homecoming signing of their former star man, with Ronaldo returning to Old Trafford over a decade after first leaving.

When the Red Devils also committed to the significant signings of Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho, little was left in the budget for a new defensive midfielder – a much-maligned position at the club.

Talking on his YouTube show, Ferdinand explained that while he backs the move for Ronaldo, he fears the subsequent lack of quality in the middle of the park sticks out ‘like a sore thumb’.

He said: “Taking Ronaldo – which I fully agree with, I’m fully behind it – just took out the possibility of addressing the defensive midfield area. 

“It stuck out like a sore thumb last year, and it’s sticking out even more now, because you haven’t got anyone in there with the capabilities.”

He then added: “There’s no one in there who is actually [a] specified defensive midfielder or who has the capability to do it anymore.  So it’s a concern, and it could be the thing, maybe, that holds us back this year.”

TIF Thoughts on Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United…

Ronaldo’s return to his former club has certainly gone smoothly so far – providing you just look at his goalscoring numbers. He has netted five times in six games for the club so far, proving that he is just as lethal as ever.

Were Man United right to sign Ronaldo instead of a defensive midfielder ?

Yes

Yes

No

No

Despite this, United’s form still continues to be rather inconsistent. They have particularly struggled in recent times, dropping points in the league against Everton and Aston Villa, while also losing matches in the League Cup and Champions League.

Clearly, for all his goals, Ronaldo hasn’t yet transformed this United side. Perhaps Ferdinand is right and the team may not be able to reach its full potential until they sign a new defensive midfielder.

In other news: ‘From what I’m told’ – Fabrizio Romano drops intriguing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer claim at MUFC

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