Manchester United Warned About Possible Problems With Cristiano Ronaldo

Manchester United could be dealing with something critical about Cristiano Ronaldo

The Red Devils are excited about having returning club idol Ronaldo back in the squad. However, not all are convinced that Manchester United will have a fairytale-like season despite the Portuguese striker on board.

Among the soccer personalities who recently weighed in on Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford is legendary Italian striker Paolo Di Canio.

According to the outspoken club manager, if Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will push for Ronaldo as the squad’s primary striker, it will open up a major problem as the five-time Ballon d’Or winner doesn’t like playing the position even at Juventus.

"Ronaldo will improve the technical level, but he joins a team with many strikers and wingers,” Di Canio said on La Gazzetta dello Sport's “In The Box” podcast. "Solskjaer said he sees him as a center-forward, but Ronaldo didn't want to do it at Juventus.”

Di Canio further assessed that the stacked Manchester United attack could also be an issue. However, the fact that Jadon Sancho is still “struggling” in the wing, and other strikers likely to be in the “up front” could be perfect for Ronaldo, who functions well in the left wing.

"I still see him starting on the left, but [Manchester] have other players in the same position, including Sancho, who was paid €85 million ($100 million), but has been struggling to settle in so far," the 53-year-old explained. "[Marcus] Rashford will return, [Mason] Greenwood and [Anthony] Martial too. Solskjaer leaves his strikers free up front, so this could be good for Ronaldo.”

As for being a leader, Di Canio stressed that he’s not sure whether Ronaldo could be as effective as his former domestic league rival and AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

"There is enthusiasm, but it remains to be seen if Ronaldo will be a cumbersome presence like Zlatan was,” he questioned. “Sometimes, young players without much personality didn't understand he wanted the best from them."

Solskjaer, on the other hand, had earlier revealed the important roles Ronaldo will play for his club.

As per Solskjaer, Ronaldo’s position may change every once in a while but ultimately, he wants his former teammate to do what he does best — “score goals.”

“The biggest thing is that Cristiano wanted to come here,” Solskjaer pointed out. “Cristiano has evolved as a player. He has played wide right, wide left, upfront. He is more of a center-forward for me at the moment. There will be games where we play two up front, three upfront. But I want him in the box, I want him scoring goals.”