Roy Keane has admitted that he does not believe Cristiano Ronaldo will be the difference in competing for big trophies, suggesting Manchester United need to sort pressing issues in midfield and in goal to succeed.
Ronaldo had an excellent individual season in Serie A, winning the 'Capocannoniere' award with 29 goals in 31 games. There is no doubt that Ronaldo comes with an assurance of consistent goals, but it is not in that area of the pitch where Keane sees a pressing concern.
United are still without a recognised number 6 to start consistently for the team due to Nemanja Matic's age and performances. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has experimented with Fred and Scott McTominay, most commonly as a double-pivot. Still, neither player is naturally a defensive midfielder, preferring to fulfil a more action-packed box-to-box role.
Over the summer, United have been linked with a barrage of defensive midfield players. The most recent name seemingly pulled out of a hat was Aurielien Tchouameni, with MEN Sport confirming there has been no contact made between United and AS Monaco for his services.
One player of interest is Declan Rice who has partnered Tomas Soucek in West Ham United's outstanding start to the season. Rice would be open to a move to Old Trafford but United's transfer chiefs have been priced out by the £100million tag placed on the Englishman.
United legend Keane has admitted Ronaldo can propel United to contention in the domestic cup competitions but cites weaknesses in goal and midfield as the essential reason why the Reds will not win the Premier League this season.
"There’s no doubt in my mind that he’s a world-class player. The pluses and minuses, I just see the hunger and desires there. It’s not a payday for him. The guy’s worked fortunes," the Irishman stated on Sky Sports.
"We saw in the Euros won the Golden Boot, the World Cup’s in a year and a half, that’s an incentive for him. He’s only coming back to Man Utd to win stuff.
"My doubts are he won’t be the difference winning the big trophies but the League Cup, FA Cup I think that’s more than possible.
"He’ll want more than that, he’s a fitness freak, and he’s one of the most intelligent players I’ve ever seen in my life. He’s a winner, but Man Utd still have the same problems with or without Ronaldo, and that’s midfield and goalkeeping problems."
United have concerns in goal, with neither David De Gea nor Dean Henderson displaying the level of excellent consistency that other Premier League-winning teams have been able to rely on.
The Brazilian duo of Alisson and Ederson have been the linchpins for Liverpool and Manchester City. United will need a keeper of a similar level to reach their biggest rivals' continental and domestic success.
