Former Tottenham Hotspur head coach Tim Sherwood believes Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo has all of the hallmarks to one day step into the manager's shoes at Old Trafford.
Sherwood made the admission ahead of Ronaldo scoring his fourth goal in three games since returning to United against West Ham United on Sunday afternoon.
Covering the game as a pundit for the Premier League's official coverage, Sherwood was watching video footage of Ronaldo going around some of his team-mates and appearing to dish out instructions during their warm-ups.
It was another fine example of Ronaldo's leadership qualities and ability to get into his team-mates' ears ahead of another huge encounter.
For Sherwood, Ronaldo's actions represented all of the necessary ingredients to step into the world of management, and the former Spurs chief believes the five-time Ballon d'Or winner could step into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's shoes one day.
Sherwood told the Premier League's website : "You need this as a manager. He is out there having a chat, even with [Raphael] Varane who has won everything. He's speaking to Paul Pogba, a World Cup winner.
"This guy is going to play for as long as his legs take him and then he is going to be the manager, I am convinced of it. I think he will definitely manage and I can see him being the manager at Manchester United.
"I think he would bring a very experienced coach in with him and he will end up sitting in that manager's seat. I am convinced that he has come back for a reason.
"His personality has evolved. When he first came [to England in 2003], he got on with his own job, even though he was still a leader and led by example. But now, he is putting it on himself to go and whisper in people's ears."
Alongside Sherwood was former United striker Michael Owen, who also delivered his verdict in response to Sherwood's admission. Although he agreed with the former Aston Villa boss that Ronaldo could step into management, he did not comment on whether or not Ronaldo could take on that responsibility at Old Trafford.
Owen added: "I can see him being manager one day. I think it would be very hard to have the adulation, the exposure, everything he has had in his life and all of a sudden, once he retires, just shut down and then fall off the face of the earth, for wanting a better phrase.
"People like that... you look at Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard, who are some of the greatest players we have had on these shores. It is almost like a drug, so yes, I can probably see Ronaldo going into management."
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