Manchester United interim coach Ralf Rangnick believes that Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani work well together as a strike partnership after facing calls to drop the Portuguese superstar.
The 36-year-old has been in fine form since returning to Old Trafford in the summer, scoring 14 goals in all competitions after completing a £12million move from Juventus.
Ronaldo bagged a goal and an assist in Man United’s 3-1 victory over Burnley on Thursday to make it four games unbeaten under Ralf Rangnick in the Premier League.
But the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s on-pitch behaviour has suggested that all is not well at Old Trafford with the Red Devils hero, with his negative body language indicating his frustrations on the pitch.
Ronaldo was heavily criticised along with Bruno Fernandes by club legend Gary Neville for “whinging” during the disappointing draw with Newcastle United, after storming down the tunnel at the final whistle without paying tribute to the fans that travelled.
Cavani, meanwhile, has been praised for waiting patiently for his chance to impact games from the bench and his selfless running off the ball helped Ronaldo stay in central areas against Burnley.
Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson suggested that Ronaldo should be left out for the time being and replaced by Cavani in the starting XI.
“In terms of [ Manchester United ]'s team, I strongly believe Cristiano Ronaldo should be left out,” Merson told Sportskeeda.
“It won't happen, but Edinson Cavani should take his place upfront with the likes of Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood in contention to play on the wings.
“Something's just not right there. I think there is a lot going on behind the scenes and it doesn't look good for them.”
But Rangnick, speaking after the win over Burnley, explained how he sees the pair working together in a two-man striker partnership.
“We played with two strikers, two wingers, two sixes, every player in his best possible position," he told Sky Sports News.
"This is another thing that we try to achieve in almost every game that no matter which formation we're going to play, we'll have every player in his best possible position.
“It's not only about a partnership between Cristiano [Ronaldo] and Bruno [Fernandes], it's about partnerships between other players. Yesterday it was about the partnership between Edinson [Cavani] and Cristiano, and it worked out well.
“Edinson was the player with the highest distance in the whole team with 11.8 or 11.9km, and of course since we will change from game to game, also the formation and the starting line-up, it's about different partnerships."
It was initially thought that Rangnick would seek to move Ronaldo out of his starting XI, but the former Real Madrid star has started every game under the German in the league.
However, United are still struggling to recover from their poor start to the season under sacked boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Man United finished second in the table last season behind Manchester City, but Rangnick’s side could struggle to stay in contention for a top-four place.
They are currently seven points behind fourth-placed Arsenal, although they have two games in hand on the Gunners.
West Ham and Tottenham remain very much included in the conversation as the battle for Champions League qualification next season.
But Merson, 53, does not think United have enough to sneak into the top four this season and believes Wolves will be difficult to beat.
“You just don't know what you're going to get with Manchester United,” he added.
”They were so fortunate against Norwich City and were never going to beat Newcastle United away from home, so this will once again be a hard game for them.
“I don't see them finishing in the top four. Manchester United are a long way off now and if they somehow manage to get to fourth, it'll be a great season for them.”
