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Portugal manager slams Man Utd and Ole Gunnar Solskjear for misusing Cristiano Ronaldo
Fernando Santos revealed that his captain needs to play in both of Portugal’s games during the international break because he isn’t getting enough minutes at Manchester United.
Fernando Santos, manager of Portugal, has insisted that Manchester United and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have used Cristiano Ronaldo incorrectly.
Despite scoring a stoppage time winner against Villarreal just days earlier, the 36-year-old forward was benched for last weekend’s Premier League clash with Everton at Old Trafford.
Solskjaer’s gamble backfired as United were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by the Toffees, with Ronaldo coming on in the second half as the Red Devils fought for a point.
Now, Ronaldo’s national team manager has questioned the decision, revealing that Ronaldo would play both of Portugal’s matches this week prior to tonight’s friendly win over Qatar.
Santos said: “He [Ronaldo] will go to the game [against Qatar] because he needs playing time. It’s important to him at this stage.
“The last full game he played was in the Champions League [against Villarreal on September 29].
“If he only plays against Luxembourg, he will have practically 15 days without playing with intensity.
“At this point I will say that there are strong possibilities of Ronaldo going to the game against Qatar, either starting or coming on later during the second half, so that the competitive rhythms are at their maximum against Luxembourg.”
Santos kept his word, with Ronaldo starting and scoring as Portugal defeated World Cup hosts Qatar 2-0 at home in a friendly on Saturday night.
They will now focus on Tuesday night’s World Cup qualifier against Luxembourg.
Not only Santos has chastised Solskjaer for benching Ronaldo, but legendary United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is also said to have told UFC fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov that “you should always start with your best player.”
Ronaldo’s winner against Villarreal was his fifth goal since arriving at Old Trafford at the end of August, and he was named Premier League Player of the Month for September on Friday.
These goals bring his overall United tally to 123 goals in 298 appearances, and he now only needs 13 more to reach 100 in the Premier League.
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Portugal manager slams Man Utd and Ole Gunnar Solskjear for misusing Cristiano Ronaldo
