Just like back in the day, but this time it is off the pitch. Known as pretty passionate pundits, the same way they were as players, Manchester United former captain Roy Keane and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher got into a fierce discussion regarding Cristiano Ronaldo and the fact he came of the bench against Chelsea yesterday.Expectedly, once one of the pillars of United’s pitch personality, Keane is convinced the Portuguese should have been on the Stamford Bridge grass from the start while Carragher does not see Ronaldo as a necessary element in big matches anymore.The Sky Sports studio welcomed Keane, Carragher and former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink to do their punditry on the Sunday’s 1-1 match between two Premier League greats. Hasselbaink, who was sitting between the two, had the best seat in the house and at times it looked as if all he he needed was some popcorn. Not because of the match but because of his two colleagues’ fiery argument.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Studio host Dave Jones lighted the spark by asking his guests what should the new manager of Man United do with Ronaldo.Keane: “You have to (play him and start him). Ronaldo isn’t one for coming off the bench – he was probably freezing there. Ronaldo has not come back to Manchester United to sit on the bench.”He is a world-class player. His stats since he came back to the club are ok – he has got some goals and some assists. This idea that he is going to start closing people down? He’s not. Sometimes you have to work around a superstar. I’ve played with players who don’t do the bit you hope – the Cantonas of this world – but you forgive them because they score the winning goals in tight matches.”This idea of resting him? Villarreal didn’t take a lot out of the players and they are not playing again until Thursday night. He could have played today easily.”Jones switched his focus to Carragher asked if the guests believe Ralf Rangnick will see the situation the same way Keane sees it.Carragher: “No. I think Rangnick will not cause himself a problem initially coming into the club and putting Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench, but I think this idea that Ronaldo has to start every game and play every minute of every game I don’t think is right.”There was this big story that he brought Ronaldo off. He’s 36. Now, Ronaldo’s not the player he was. He’s still obviously delivering for Man Utd in terms of goals, but I don’t think it should be a big story if Ronaldo doesn’t start every game or at times comes off in a game of football.”[Media: Liverpool Echo] Every word of Jamie Carragher and Roy Keane’s heated argument over Cristiano Ronaldo https://t.co/e85PVgkpBX pic.twitter.com/BtCmXHFDAx— LFCMAGAZINE (@LFCMAGAZINE) November 29, 2021 From that point on and the next couple of minutes – there were only two people in the studio.Keane: “Not every game, Jamie, but this is a big game for Manchester United. I’d forgive some of the group games in the Champions League when you’re thinking Man Utd are still going to get through, I understand that…but Ronaldo, if you see him in the car park, you see a player who has won everything in the game and who has come back to United to try to lift the club. Of course he will want to play in these games.Carragher: “That’s every player when we are playing the game.”Keane: “But they are not all world class! They won’t have had 800 games in their career! If you were watching today and Man Utd were poor but Ronaldo is on the pitch you are still thinking ‘well if the ball falls to anyone in world football, even at 36, it’s Ronaldo’.Keane then mentioned the infamous pressing approach that is expected with the arrival of Rangnick.”And this idea that he then gets the blame for the high press…” to which Carragher interrupted him with the question: “He doesn’t press, does he?”Keane: “He’s not pressed for four, five, six years! I said when he came back that he wasn’t going to fix Manchester United’s problems. But you do not bring Ronaldo back to Man Utd to sit on the bench.”Of course he is not going to start every game. But it’s Chelsea away where it is counter-attack and you might get one or two balls into the box, and you want to drop Cristiano Ronaldo?”Wed, 22.30: (10.00) WATFORD (4.90) CHELSEA (1.38)Carragher: “Why did Manchester United sign Ronaldo in the summer? They signed him because they were terrified he was going to go to Man City. That’s why they signed him.”There was no plan to sign Cristiano Ronaldo.”Keane: “But he was always going to play, Jamie. What they were going to sign him just to not go to City but come and sit with us on the bench?”Carragher: “I didn’t say that. I’m saying is a Manchester United manager not allowed to put Ronaldo on the bench? They’ve come here to Stamford Bridge and the guy that’s played has scored the goal.”Thu, 23.15: (2.10) MAN UNITED (3.50) ARSENAL (3.80)Keane: “Of course he is. Stats have taken over the world so show me his stats. His stats since coming back to Manchester United are good…”Carragher: “Goal scoring-wise, yes. Definitely.”Keane: “What’s the game about? The game is about goals, Jamie.”Carragher: “Where are Manchester United in the league? Are United any closer to winning the Premier League? That’s what he’s been brought back for.””I’m not criticising Ronaldo as a player. What can he do at [36]? He’s a phenomenon in terms of goals but I mentioned this in midweek with Lionel Messi.”PSG have signed Messi. Man Utd have signed Ronaldo. They are two of the greatest players of this generation. Yes, two of the greatest players of all time.”Are United closer to the league title right now than they were last season? No. Are PSG closer to the Champions League with Messi in the team? No. We talk about goal scorers or whatever position you are, you bring your own input to the game, but football is a team game.”All square at the Bridge! Jorginho gifts a goal away before finding the net in a Premier League classicJones tried to sum the whole discussion to one simple question: “So you think signing Ronaldo was a mistake?”But the answer from both sides was not either short or straight to the point. It only elevated the argument.Keane: “Ronaldo was never going to get Man Utd back winning league titles.”Carragher: “What was the point in signing him? He’s [36].”Keane: “To win trophies! It’s about trophies. He has come back for the FA Cup and the Champions League! They have got through to the next round of the Champions League. How much do you think that is worth to the club when you are looking at the business side of it – the Glazers, the share price? That’s what he has come back for.”Carragher: “If you finish second last year…”Keane: “Second is no good to you…”Carragher: “I know! And then you sign Ronaldo at [36]. You are not going to win the league in four years. If you sign someone at 36 or 37, it is to win right now. If you sign Raphael Varane, a four-time Champions League winner and a World Cup winner, it’s to win right now.”PLAYER RATINGS: Rudiger’s versatility lacked a cherry on topKeane: “A few months ago when Ronaldo signed for Man Utd, anyone who said…”Carragher: “…Are they any closer to the league right now?”Keane: “No! He has not come back to win the league!”Carragher: “What’s he come back for then? What’s he here for?”Keane: “To help them win a trophy!”Carragher: “What’s he here for?”Keane: “Mourinho didn’t win the league but he won a few trophies!”Carragher: “Oh my…😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/cprdhAM2Oa— Gary Neville (@GNev2) November 28, 2021 “Keane: “When you won trophies were you not buzzing with that? Man Utd are a cup team at the moment.”Jaime Carragher: “You just said Ronaldo never came back to win the league. What’s he here for then? What are you at Man Utd for?”Keane: “Cups! Cups!”Carragher: “Is that where Man Utd have gone? ‘We’re happy with cups’.Keane: “Absolutely! But that’s where they are as a club. Look at the team! Look at the league, look at the last two or three years. They are not going to win the league for the next two or three years, I can tell you that now.”Carragher: “So why did United sign Ronaldo for at [36] if they are not going to win the league in the next two or three years? Start getting Mason Greenwood on the pitch and start getting Jadon Sancho on the pitch if they are not going to win the league right now.”Keane: “They were never going to win the league. Ronaldo was never going to close the gap…Carragher: “So, there’s no point in signing him…”Keane: “I’ll say it one more time, to win some trophies. That’s where they are.”Caretaker manager Michael Carrick named the 36-year-old among the substitutes at Stamford Bridge, instead starting with a front three of Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes.Ronaldo eventually came on for Sancho, whose second-half goal was cancelled out by a Jorginho penalty, but made little impact on the game before storming straight down the tunnel after the final whistle.Ronaldo’s omission prompted a discussion between the Sky Sports pundits and probably between many more football fans across the globe and it remains to be seen if Ronaldo at United was in fact a good move by the Red Devils.What are your thoughts on the subject?
