Manchester United face Arsenal at home for Thursday's midweek fixture. Although caretaker manager Michael Carrick will be in the dugout, The Arsenal Way discussed on Wednesday morning's Arsenal Agenda show why new manager Ralf Rangnick shouldn't play Cristiano Ronaldo in big games.
The Arsenal Way’s editor Hush Kerai spoke to writer and presenter Tom Canton and United On My Mind’s writer Omar Garrick about whether United should start the striker against the Gunners…
OG: “Ralf Rangnick is known for building pressing sides and with all the stats we know about Ronaldo - he doesn't press. So, it’s a weird one. In contrast, I think there has to be a leeway here from Rangnick.
“United paid £20m for the 36-year-old. I think Ronaldo hasn't pressed at any of the teams he’s played in the past.”
HK: “Because of his lack of pressing you want him to play the games where United are going to have the ball. That’s going to be against lesser opposition where he can turn the screws and score the goals.
“Whereas against the top sides and teams that are better than United - let’s just narrow it down to Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and the games in the Champions League.
“I don’t think he should start those games because he doesn’t do enough without the ball. We know Ronaldo is going to be dominated in those games and be on the back foot.
“Whereas if he came on as a sub in those games with all the power in his legs still to make an impact with 20 minutes to go… I feel like I’m tempting fate here for the game tomorrow.
“But, that’s a better use of his qualities undoubtedly. He’s the second-best player that’s ever kicked the ball in my opinion. You want to use that kind of player and maximise his ability.
“I think him pressing or trying to press in the first 45 minutes of the game in a game against a well-coached back four is not going to be a good use of his energy.
“Whereas in the last 10 minutes when you’re turning the screw and trying to get a last-minute goal or equaliser - that might be a better use of his ability. But, I’ll let Rangnick decide how he does that.”
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