Tim Sherwood: Rice has ability to stop Ronaldo
Tim Sherwood has urged Declan Rice to keep Cristiano Ronaldo quiet as West Ham take on Manchester United today.
The Portugal attacker has hit the ground running in his second-coming at Old Trafford, scoring three goals in two games.
He will be looking to continue his goal-scoring run, but former Premier League winner Sherwood, believes that he can be kept at bay by the England international.
In Premier League Productions’ pre-game show Matchday Live, he said, “I think the onus will be on Rice to keep Ronaldo quiet today, but I think he’s got it in him to do it.
“He’s one of the best midfielders in the league so we know he’s capable and, of course, stopping Ronaldo is not going to be easy.”
Surely up for it
We’re not sure what David Moyes has in mind to keep Ronaldo at bay, but we wouldn’t be surprised if he asks someone like Rice to man mark him.
However, given the player he’s become, he prefers to stay in the box, so Kurt Zouma could be the one performing that role.
Alternatively, the Hammers could deploy a back three with Rice playing at the heart of the defence and sticking to Portugal’s all time top goal scorer.
It’s going to be an intriguing game and the battle between Rice and Ronaldo is certainly going to be box office.
If Rice is to go to the next level, these are games he needs to excel in and keep Ronaldo at bay.
There could be a further incentive to perform for the 22-year-old as Man United are keen on his services and if he wants the move next summer, he could catapult himself to the top of their wish list.
In other West Ham news, ‘Overrated’ – Sky Sports guru predicts scoreline & winner in West Ham clash v Manchester United
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