Brendan Rodgers has been told that if he replaces Ole Gunnar Solskjaer he should usher Cristiano Ronaldo out of Manchester United.
The Leicester City boss is one of the frontrunners to take over from Solskjaer, with the Norwegian’s sacking confirmed on Sunday morning.
Old Trafford bosses held lengthy talks on Saturday evening, in the immediate aftermath of the Red Devils’ embarrassing 4-1 defeat at Watford.
Their latest no show, means United have picked up just four points from the last 21 available, leaving Solskjaer’s position in the dugout hanging by a thread.
United have now confirmed they have made the decision to part with the former striker, with eyes now on appointing an interim boss until the end of the season.
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Rodgers, despite distancing himself from the position, has emerged as one of the favourites after impressing during his stint at the King Power Stadium.
And pundit Carlton Cole has said that should Rodgers get the nod, he should “get rid” of Cristiano Ronaldo and start building for the future.
The 36-year-old completed a dramatic return to the club earlier this year and has scored nine goals in his first 14 games back.
But Cole believes Rodgers’ reputation as a team-builder means he should look to the future, something which the veteran forward may not be a part of.
“Leicester fans are going to hate me for this one but I feel Brendan Rodgers could go in and I feel he would be the right man for the Man United job,” Cole told talkSPORT. “Get rid of Ronaldo, he’s [Rodgers] going to have to usher him out.
“The reason why, because if you have someone like Brendan he wants to build for the future.
“They’ve got a few prospects in that team that have not even played yet, very good players, and there’s talk of Jude Bellingham coming in as well.
“You’ve got to plan for the future – is Ronaldo the future of Man United?
“We know how he wants to play, Brendan Rodgers, he loves the high press, he loves the high energy, working off the ball, he loves that.
“He’ll eradicate the players that are not fitting into that formation or system, he has to otherwise he’s going against his own morals.”
Despite his brilliant goalscoring form, questions have been raised as to whether United’s overall efficiency as a team has taken a hit since Ronaldo’s return.
Cole agrees with that sentiment and thinks to get the best out of the Portuguese talisman, United have to surrender what makes them most effective.
“Man United need to be a high pressing team, they need energy, they had that going on last season to be honest, they had it,” the former West Ham striker added.
“Then coming into this season and getting Ronaldo, you’re not going to turn down Ronaldo if he’s going to come to you so they have to ride it.
“Ole, I don’t think he’s figured it out how to go back to last season and add Ronaldo to build for the future.
“Ronaldo is the main man now and he’s scoring all the goals and important ones as well, but it’s not helped him at all, getting into this season with Ronaldo. This season has not been good for United.”
