Jamie Carragher explains why Manchester United must sell Cristiano Ronaldo this summer

Former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher believes it will be a mistake if Manchester United keep Cristiano Ronaldo next season.

The Portuguese star, who scored his 15th goal of the season in United's 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Tuesday evening, returned to Old Trafford at the very end of last summer's transfer window from Juventus.

Ronaldo was snapped up by United just as a move to Manchester City looked on course to complete, meaning a fairytale homecoming was sealed for the 37-year-old.

Having already added Jadon Sancho to their attacking ranks last summer, the necessity of Ronaldo's return beyond his status was questioned.

Although he has struggled for form and goals of late, Ronaldo is United's leading marksman this term. Nevertheless, former centre-back Carragher believes United were wrong to re-sign the former Real Madrid, insisting it would be an even bigger mistake to keep him for next term.

Carragher told The Telegraph : "Cristiano Ronaldo's invaluable contribution to Manchester United's Premier League win over Brighton was another reminder of his unparalleled appetite for goals.

"But it does not change this reality: United made a mistake re-signing Ronaldo last summer. It will be a bigger one keeping him next season.

"I know how contentious that sounds. It is easy to list the many magnificent qualities Ronaldo possesses which make him one of the greatest players we have seen. He remains one of the ultimate goalscorers, having evolved to become a penalty box predator, liable to deliver when his team most needs it - as against Villarreal and Atalanta - to prolong United's Champions League campaign.

"You would not bet against him scoring over 20 goals this season.

“'Where would