Manchester United icon Gary Neville has stated that Cristiano Ronaldo is a 'make or break' signing for Ole Gunnar Solksjaer.
Not long ago, Ronaldo seemed to be heading to United's neighbours Manchester City, but intervention from Sir Alex Ferguson and members of the 2008 Champions League winning team convinced him to come back to Old Trafford.
Despite 12 years away from the club— in which time he has made homes in Madrid and Turin — Ronaldo returned as if he had never left, bagging a brace in his opening fixture against Newcastle United. He has continued his excellent goalscoring form since his second debut and now finds himself with four goals in his first three games of the season.
In light of Ronaldo rejoining the Reds, speculation about Solskjaer has accelerated, with critics suggesting a side containing the likes of Ronaldo, Paul Pogba, and Raphael Varane must be competing for club football's biggest prizes.
This is a sentiment that Neville agrees with, suggesting that the success United have during Ronaldo's second stint at the club could define the Norwegian's future.
When questioned by 5 Live Breakfast anchor Rachel Burden whether Solskjaer would be content with allowing Ronaldo to exert a growing influence over the club, Neville responded: "I don't think Ole is the type [to be bothered about Ronaldo's touchline instructions]
"He's dealt with Paul Pogba well over the last 12 months. He's dealt with big personalities. He seems to have the right temperament for that.
"There is no doubt Ronaldo is a make or break signing for Ole because, with Ronaldo in the squad, he has to win. You can't have any excuses. You bring one of the best players of all time into your club; with the [Jadon] Sancho signing and the Varane signing at centre-back, he has now got to deliver.
"He has not won a trophy yet with the club, and he knows now is the time to deliver."
