Arsenal legend, Paul Merson has said that Cristiano Ronaldo would soon dump Manchester United, fearing that the Portuguese’s return to Old Trafford could be short-lived.
He said the club’s ‘shambolic’ pursuit of a new permanent manager, could see the 36-year-old leave the club he rejoined in the summer.
Despite Manchester United’s current struggles, Ronaldo has maintained his astonishing goalscoring standards, scoring 10 goals in all competitions so far.
The club sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last Sunday after a series of disappointing results with last weekend’s 4-1 defeat at Watford being the final straw.
Michael Carrick, a club legend and assistant coach, was handed the job on caretaker basis pending the appointment of either an interim or a permanent manager.
And Merson believes that the club’s failure to appoint a permanent manager immediately instead of an interim boss could see Ronaldo walk away from Old Trafford.
He told the Daily Star: “Manchester United needing an interim manager is a shambles – and Cristiano Ronaldo might decide to walk away in the summer.
“He won’t be hanging around if they don’t finish in the top four because he will want to end his career in the Champions League.
“And that doesn’t look terribly likely right now because United are a mess and will probably get thrashed by Chelsea this weekend.
“It might actually suit all parties if he leaves anyway because if they appoint Mauricio Pochettino and he wants to press from the front, you’re not doing that with Ronaldo.”
Caretaker boss, Carrick will be in charge of the Red Devils when they travel to Old Trafford on Sunday to face high-flying Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea side.
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