Cristiano Ronaldo in strange Liverpool comparison as Solskjaer told to drop Man Utd star

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Cristiano Ronaldo has bizarrely been compared to Liverpool midfielder Thiago. The Manchester United forward has been carrying the team in recent weeks, but that has not stopped calls for him to be dropped by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The Portuguese superstar bailed United out in midweek by scoring a late equaliser against Atalanta in the Champions League, but was unable to have an impact on Saturday as Solskjaer’s men were dominated by their arch-rivals Manchester City.

An Eric Bailly own goal and Bernardo Silva strike sealed matters at Old Trafford, but the scoreline was flattering on United as City could’ve easily won by more.

Ronaldo was virtually a passenger for much of the game as United struggled to create chances and retain possession.

Former Liverpool midfielder Jason McAteer believes United should consider dropping him after claiming the 36-year-old shouldn’t be playing every match despite his obvious importance to the team.

Solskjaer has rested Ronaldo before this season, most notably against Everton last month, which caused a huge stir among fans and pundits.

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Trying to explain his point about Ronaldo’s role in the United team, McAteer compared him to Spanish midfielder Thiago.

Discussing Liverpool’s team selection, he told Empire of the Kop: “Fabinho should be a starter every week, not so much with Thiago.

“I see him a bit like the Ronaldo situation at Manchester United, for me he’s a player you look at and only pick for certain games”.

Solskjaer has been left perplexed by Ronaldo’s critics in recent weeks.

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The former Real Madrid forward has been criticised for not pressing from the front and has been accused of having a ‘negative impact’ on the team despite scoring nine goals in 13 games for the club this season.

Leaping to Ronaldo’s defence, Solskjaer said after their 2-0 defeat against City: “He’s one of the best players that’s ever walked on the planet.

“His impact on and off the pitch has been absolutely immense, the goals he scores, the way he conducts himself in and around the place, so how people can say it’s a negative, I can’t see it.

“Really, really pleased he started off as well as he has but that’s what he does, he scores goals, he works for his team, he’s a top, top professional.”

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