Cristiano Ronaldo news: Jamie Carragher makes Christian Benteke comparison in explaining why Erik ten Hag must sell Man Utd star

Jamie Carragher is doubling down on his claims that Erik ten Hag needs to make a big Manchester United statement by offloading this season’s top scorer, Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portuguese superstar returned to Old Trafford last summer, arriving from Juventus is a deal that cost United an initial £13m. And despite now being 37, he proved age was no barrier by scoring 24 goals this season. That made him United’s top scorer by some distance, with Bruno Fernandes next highest on 10.

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However, despite his success, Ronaldo has continued to divide opinion. With interim boss Ralf Rangnick liking a high-pressing style, he found it hard to engineer results from United as they laboured to a sixth-placed finish.

And with successor Ten Hag also favouring a high-energy display, there are claims Ronaldo could find himself looking for a new club this summer.

That’s certainly a claim Carragher has made before, insisting United would be better off without him.

However, in an effort to quell the uncertainty, Ten Hag insisted Ronaldo will have a role to play at the club next season.