How did Ronaldo react to Solskjaer's Man Utd dismissal?
Martin Macdonald
- 22 Nov 2021 12:22 GMT
- 3 min read
Cristiano Ronaldo has posted a message of tribute to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following the Norwegian's dismissal as Manchester United manager.
Solskjaer had been Man Utd manager from December 2018 and was credited with improving things at Old Trafford following the tenure of Jose Mourinho.
However, his record in the transfer market was continually called into question as he was heavily backed by the club hierarchy.
Despite big money spent on Ronaldo, Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho in the summer of 2021, the club have actually regressed in the 2021/22 campaign.
They are on a shocking current run and have suffered embarrassing recent losses against Liverpool (5-0), Manchester City (2-0) and Watford (4-1).
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It was the day after that Watford defeat that Solskjaer was sacked.
Ronaldo took to Twitter and Instagram to pay a message of support to his former team-mate and manager, saying:
"He’s been my striker when I first came to Old Trafford and he’s been my coach since I came back to Man United. But most of all, Ole is an outstanding human being. I wish him the best in whatever his life has reserved for him. Good luck, my friend! You deserve it!"
How has Ronaldo performed this season?
When Ronaldo made it clear to Juventus that he wanted to leave in the summer, Man City emerged as surprise candidates to land his signature.
When it became clear that Ronaldo was available, Man Utd jumped at the chance to bring him back to the Premier League while also keeping him out of the clutches of their city rivals.
He’s been my striker when I first came to Old Trafford and he’s been my coach since I came back to Man. United. But most of all, Ole is an outstanding human being. I wish him the best in whatever his life has reserved for him.
Good luck, my friend!
You deserve it! pic.twitter.com/pdm7RXr2RX— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) November 22, 2021
On an individual level, the Portuguese superstar has performed well, scoring nine matches in 12 starts in all competitions.
It has arguably been Ronaldo's contributions in the Champions League which kept Solskjaer in charge as he scored vital last minute goals against Villarreal and Atalanta twice.
However, he has come in for criticism for changing the team's style of play as the desired high-press that most elite sides employ in modern football would simple not work with Ronaldo due to his advanced years.
Solskjaer's constant accommodation of Ronaldo in the starting XI became a stick with which to beat the former United boss.
