Rio Ferdinand, a former Manchester United defender, has acknowledged that manager Erik Ten Hag was correct to bench Cristiano Ronaldo.
He thinks the 37-year-old will eventually reclaim his position, though.
In United’s last four Premier League games, Ronaldo has not taken the field as a starter.
Marcus Rashford has been Ten Hag’s favorite offensive leader up front.
Ferdinand, however, believes that Casemiro and former Real Madrid teammate Ronaldo will both reclaim their spots as automatic starters.
Ferdinand said to William Hill, “He’ll be mad, he won’t be happy.”
“You can’t put in the kind of work that he has over that time period and be content to sit on the sidelines or to not be putting up the stats you want to be putting up. But because he will be aware that his time will come, he will be professional and dedicated.
Marcus Rashford is currently scoring and assisting goals, so I can understand why he is staying in the team. He hasn’t had a preseason, so I can understand why he isn’t playing.
“At the moment, the team is the most important component. The way United has begun the season, they are putting the team first and ignoring the individual players.
“Casemiro is obviously a major signing, but he isn’t playing. Although Ronaldo isn’t on the field, their turn will come. And I believe they’ll both remain on the team when their turn comes. Simply put, I believe that will be the situation, and the manager will change things.