Next Manchester United manager advised to work with Cristiano Ronaldo

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson believes the next permanent manager of Manchester United will want to keep Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford.

Ronaldo returned to last summer to the club he left in 2009 and was seen as the missing piece up front to help fire United back to Premier League title success. However, a fast start to his second-stint at Old Trafford has slowed down dramatically over recent weeks with the Portuguese superstar struggling in front of goal.

Interim manager Ralf Rangnick is unlikely to be retained in his role long-term but will move upstairs having agreed to a two-year consultant role at the end of the season. The Manchester Evening News reported this week that Rangnick is unsure whether Ronaldo will be able to spearhead the team next season.

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With the German admitting the club must sign a young striker in the summer, speculation has increased that Ronaldo has no future beyond this season in Manchester.

But pundit Robinson cannot see the next manager in the Old Trafford dugout not wanting to play the 37-year-old and believes there are other 'big players' not performing who are more likely to be moved on.

“I cannot see him being moved on," Robinson told Football Insider.

“Whoever comes in will want to work with Ronaldo. He’s one of the best players of all time and any manager would want him as part of the side. In that sense, I think whoever comes in will try to overrule Rangnick’s decision if that is his view.

“It would be an incredibly short-term relationship if it was to end in the summer.

“There needs to be a harmony struck though because there is a lot of characters in that dressing room. Too many