‘Where would we be if he wasn’t in this squad?’: Patrice Evra launches a passionate defence of Cristiano Ronaldo amid calls for Erik ten Hag to offload the Man United superstar this summer, insisting his former team-mate ‘will still score goals at 40’
- Cristiano Ronaldo has faced criticism since heading back to Manchester United
- The 37-year-old scored 18 goals in 38 appearances in the 2021/22 campaign
- But his lack of work off the ball has left some sceptical of his long-term future
- Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher believes United should now move Ronaldo on
- Patrice Evra has leapt to the defence of his former team-mate amid the criticism
- Evra says Liverpool star Mohamed Salah would have struggled in the same team
Patrice Evra has leapt to the defence of Cristiano Ronaldo amid questions over his impact since returning to Manchester United.
Ronaldo, 37, has not disappointed in front of goal in his second stint at Old Trafford, scoring 24 times in 38 appearances last season.
However, the Portuguese’s return did not inspire United on the pitch, as a miserable sixth-place Premier League finish saw them miss out on Champions League qualification for 2022/23.
Patrice Evra has defended Cristiano Ronaldo amid questions over his impact at Man United
Despite his impressive goal tally, many felt Ronaldo’s lack of work off the ball and reluctancy to press cost United over the course of the campaign, which could be a concern for incoming head coach Erik ten Hag.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher believes Ten Hag should move him on in the summer, saying on SkyBet’s The Overlap: ‘Manchester United can’t go into next season with a centre forward who is going to be 38, even if he does score goals that’s not right for Man United.’
Yet Evra, who shared a dressing with Ronaldo for three years, has come out in support of his old team-mate by questioning where the club would be without him.
Ronaldo has drawn criticism since returning to United despite scoring 18 goals in 38 games
Many now feel incoming head coach Erik ten Hag should offload him in the summer window
‘Cristiano – it’s not a question,’ he told The Mirror. ‘Can we leave this guy alone? He’s got 18 goals. Where would we be if Cristiano wasn’t in this squad?
‘That’s why when people talk about him, I’m like, “those people are not in peace with themselves or they are jealous”.
‘It’s so crazy, I don’t even want to answer that question anymore because I’ve answered so many times.
‘I will give you one thing: put Cristiano Ronaldo in the Manchester City, Liverpool or Chelsea team [and he will do well]. But put one of their best players – put Mo Salah in United – [he will struggle] like every player.
‘And they say it’s because he’s my friend or whatever. No. I’m in love with his work ethic, with his professionalism.
But Evra cannot understand his former team-mate’s critics, insisting they are simply ‘jealous’
‘He’s 37. This guy, even at 40, will still score goals. And he’s here for that, that’s what people want from him.
‘So, that’s why when people ask me about Cristiano, sometimes I just don’t wanna answer anymore because he’s proved so many times – hat-tricks or whatever.
‘And the funny part is when people say he doesn’t defend. When he won the Ballon d’Or in 2008, Cristiano’s best quality was not to defend.
‘So let’s talk about what he’s good at, and what he’s good at is to score goals.’
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