Maurizio Sarri confused by Cristiano Ronaldo 'absurd' centre-forward position at Manchester United

Former Chelsea and Juventus manager Maurizio Sarri has been left confused by Cristiano Ronaldo's centre-forward position at Manchester United.

Sarri coached the Portuguese superstar during his time at Juve. 37-year-old Ronaldo is United's leading goalscorer this season but some of his performances in the centre-forward position have been questioned by fans and pundits.

Speaking to Sky Sport Italia (via Football Italia), Sarri claimed that Ronaldo found it 'absurd' to play in that position during his time in Turin. He said: "Cristiano scored more Serie A goals in his season with me than any other.

ALSO READ: Gary Neville questions Erik ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino amid Manchester United manager links

"He was prepared to play centre-forward in a few games when we had an emergency situation, but he didn’t much like the idea of doing it regularly. In those situations, you end up challenging the certainties that the player has.

" Ronaldo scored 35-40 goals per season by starting from that wider position, so for him, it was an almost absurd request. That is understandable for the way he plays."

Ronaldo has scored 15 goals for United this campaign. The Portuguese legend was absent from Sunday's United squad for the Manchester derby.

Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.

Catch up on all the latest Reds headlines in our Man United section