Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has come under fire following some below-par displays from his Manchester United side, but Cristiano Ronaldo has launched a passionate defence of his manager
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Solskjaer previews Man Utd v Liverpool in Premier League
Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo has backed under-fire boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, insisting that he and his team-mates must share the collective responsibility for any criticism that comes their way.
The Norwegian’s position has come under scrutiny after a string of below-par displays recently from the Red Devils.
Solskjaer oversaw a successful summer transfer window where Man United signed his top targets Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane.
But it appears Man United are still some way off contenders Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City in terms of competing for the Premier League title.
Man United have not won the domestic crown since Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season before his retirement in 2012-13 and there are doubts as to whether Solskjaer is the man to bring success back to the club.
Solskjaer, who has been in charge since December 2018, is yet to win any form of silverware during his reign at Old Trafford, with United losing in the Europa League final in May to Villarreal.
But Ronaldo, who has scored some important results to rescue United already this season, believes the squad and manager must unite in taking the brunt of the criticism.
“We have to [take responsibility],” said Ronaldo on Sky Sports.
“To play for Manchester United and to be a coach of Manchester United you will always be criticised, and you have to accept that it’s part of the business to criticise you.”
The 36-year-old returned to Manchester for a second spell at the club some 12 years after leaving for Real Madrid for a world record fee.
The Portuguese has achieved legendary status during that time, becoming the all-time international goalscorer with 115 goals for Portugal and scoring 560 times for Real and Juventus.
How many goals will Cristiano Ronaldo score for Manchester United this season? Comment below.
Having played for such renowned institutions, Ronaldo is accustomed to deal with the pressure of performing under high expectations.
And the veteran striker knows that they have to cope with the scrutiny of the public eye when they lose.
“You play for one of the biggest clubs in the world, all eyes are on you and it is normal. You have to deal with it,” he added.
“The coaches, the players, when we lose we are in the same boat, when we win it is the same.
“You have to deal with the pressure, the pressure is here, it will continue to be here when you win or lose and you have to deal with that. It is part of the job.”
The Norwegian has been locked in a war of words with former Liverpool player Jamie Carragher, who believes the 48-year-old is in over his head at the club and doesn’t command the same level of respect as his managerial peers.
“He’s done a good job at Manchester United,” Carragher wrote in his Telegraph column. ”I honestly believe that. He’s probably exceeded expectations.
“There’s been entertainment you didn’t get under Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho. But he’s never going to be at the level of the three managers he’s got to beat.
“He hasn’t got the presence of [Jurgen] Klopp at Liverpool.
“He hasn’t got the trophies behind him that [Pep] Guardiola has at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and now Manchester City so that when he speaks the players hang off his every word.”
Ronaldo is expected to lead the line as Man United take on Liverpool in a crunch clash at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The Reds are unbeaten in all competitions this season and Solskjaer could come under even more pressure should they fail to get a favourable result.
