Jamie Carragher details why Manchester United would benefit from selling Cristiano Ronaldo

Former Liverpool centre-back Jamie Carragher believes offloading Cristiano Ronaldo this summer would solve more problems for Manchester United than it would create.

The former Real Madrid man, who will be hoping to help Portugal navigate their way through the World Cup play-offs next month, has come under fire in recent weeks following a string of below-par performances.

Although Ronaldo, who scored in United's 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Tuesday evening, has been criticised in recent weeks, he is the club's leading marksman this term with 15 goals to his name, highlighting that he has played his part this season.

Nevertheless, his return to the club, according to an array of pundits and former players, has disrupted United's collective rhythm, in the sense that the Reds have played better without him.

For Carragher, United would be better off moving forward without him in their ranks for a variety of reasons.

"There is noise generated every time Ronaldo heads straight down the tunnel after another disappointing result," Carragher told The Telegraph. "There is noise every time a story is leaked about him ‘considering his future’ at the end of the season.

"And there is noise when we notice the underwhelmed reaction whenever United score and Ronaldo is not the goalscorer, as was the case when Marcus Rashford struck a last-minute winner against West Ham in January.

"When a manager leaves out a 37-year-old, there should not be any noise.

"Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Michael Carrick and now Ralf Rangnick understand more than anyone that Ronaldo is no ordinary 37-year-old. When he is on the bench or subbed battle lines are drawn between those arguing he must play, and those who understand why he has reached a point