Cristiano Ronaldo: Man United should let him leave, journalists say

 Journalist Andy Mitten says Cristiano Ronaldo has made Manchester United “regress” and that he was not purchased by the club for footballing reasons.

Speaking on the Talk of the devil podcast today, Mitten said:

“Individually he’s been very good but collectively Manchester United have regressed as a team.

“I’ll always remember speaking to someone at the club on the day he signed. That person basically said ‘we had no idea of this’ and that was a person on the football side.

So he was completely thrown in and I think Ed Woodward drove it. He was the one who made the numbers stack up, sold the idea to Joel Glazers.

“Man United had to rip up the way they planned to play last season.

I think it’s always about Ronaldo.”

Discussing the Portuguese legend’s reported desire to leave the club, fellow Athletic reporter Laurie Whitwell also had some interesting insights on the matter.

“Is it because he’s got an offer on the table … from Chelsea?

Is it because … he couldn’t stand not being in [the Champions League)?

“Is it because his salary has been cut now, 25% is the general cut for players when United aren’t in the Champions League, and we’ve had it confirmed now that Ronaldo does have a salary cut in his contract.

“Or is it he’s just been waiting to this very moment to have maximum impact?”