Pundit 'concerned' to see Cristiano Ronaldo back in Manchester United squad to face West Ham United
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie has admitted that he would be more “concerned” to see Cristiano Ronaldo playing against West Ham than Marcus Rashford this Sunday.
Ronaldo was left out of the squad for the Premier League clash with Chelsea last weekend after refusing to come on as a substitute against Tottenham, but returned to the side for Thursday’s Europa League win over Sheriff and got on the scoresheet.
He is now in line to feature at Old Trafford again against West Ham on Sunday, and McAvennie admits that he’d be more concerned for the Hammers if the Portuguese legend is on the pitch despite their form this season.
“Ronaldo must be sitting in the stand and saying to Rashford, ‘the chances you’re missing..’ you know?” he told West Ham Zone.
“They’re not going to win nothing. He’s not playing Maguire. Shaw, people run way from Shaw now, the wingers.
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“He’s not scared to shake things up, Ten Hag. I’m not saying treat him differently from anyone else, but one of the best players in the world, you can’t get ahead of yourself telling him he’s going to be training with the Under-23’s. Not with a player like Ronaldo.
“For me he deserves better than that.
“I’ll be more concerned for West Ham if Ronaldo is playing than Rashford.”
Both players scored in Thursday’s win over Sheriff, with Rashford playing 45 minutes after coming on as a half-time substitute.
Ronaldo’s form hasn’t been good this season, with Manchester United a far better outfit without him on the pitch according to the stats.
But for someone with over 800 club goals in his career, it’s ridiculous to think West Ham would be better off with him on the pitch against them.
The decision to bring him back into the fold leaves Moyes with a big decision to make about his setup in case he is handed a start on Sunday, and makes the starting team less predictable for the home side.