Cristiano Ronaldo: Erik Ten Hag implored to undo 'bad' Man United transfer decision

Cristiano Ronaldo scored more goals than Harry Kane and finished just behind Golden Boot winners Mohamed Salah and Heung-Min Son this past season. The Portuguese star scored 18 goals in the Premier League for Manchester United and 24 goals in all competitions.

The Red Devils' sixth-place finish in the English top flight was in large part possible due to Ronaldo's goals and David de Gea's heroics between the posts. Despite the former Real Madrid star's performances, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has asked incoming manager Erik Ten Hag to offload the Portugal international.

The Dutch coach has been named United's new head coach following the departure of interim boss Ralf Rangnick. Carragher wants the former Ajax boss to stamp his authority on the squad by sanctioning the sale of the club's top scorer in the 2021-22 season.

"Ronaldo would be a massive problem for Manchester United next season if he wasn't playing every week, we've seen it this season, even when he's coming off and there were times where the manager was right to take him off or put him on the bench, but he's kicked up a fuss," Carragher told Gary Neville, as quoted by the Daily Mail.

"This is the most powerful he will ever be, the manager's the most powerful the first day in the job, because he's there and he should be able to make big decisions on the basis of that and I'd make that big decision as the other top managers have done that make everyone sit up and take notice."

Carragher has maintained throughout the recently concluded Premier League season that Ronaldo, who rejoined United from Juventus last summer, was not a good signing. He feels the 20-time English champions need to sign a forward that is in his prime rather than one in the twilight of his career.

"I'm convinced he's (Ten Hag) got to do that with Ronaldo, whether he's allowed to or not, and I've said this consistently throughout this season, that was not a good signing," he added.

"Manchester United can't go into next season with a centre forward who is going to be 38, even if he does score goals that's not right for Man United."

Ronaldo has one year remaining on his current deal with United, and Ten Hag has confirmed that he wants the five-time Champions League winner to stay at the club. The 2022-23 campaign could see the Portuguese star compete in Europe's second tier club competition - the Europa League - for the first time in his career.