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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, a former manager of Manchester United, acknowledges that the club made the "wrong" choice in signing Cristiano Ronaldo even though it "felt so right." Ronaldo was acquired by the Red Devils from Juventus in August 2021, and he scored 24 goals in 38 games throughout all competitions. The signing marked Ronaldo's comeback for United after his exit in 2009.
However, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's stay at Old Trafford was short-lived as he had to leave the club after his controversial interview with Piers Morgan. Ronaldo exposed the club's ownership and management after which it was mutually decided that his contract would be terminated.
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“It was a decision that was very difficult to turn down and I felt we had to take it, but it turned out wrong,” Solskjaer told The Athletic. “It felt so right when he signed and the fans felt that at that Newcastle game, when Old Trafford was rocking (Ronaldo scored twice in a 4-1 win). He was still one of the best goalscorers in the world, he was looking strong,” Solskjaer added further.
Although Ronaldo scored twice in his debut, a 4-1 victory over Newcastle, the acquisition of Ronaldo unbalanced Solskjaer's team, and after nine goals before the trip to Watford, the Norwegian manager lost his job.
Erik ten Hag, Solskjaer's replacement after Ralf Rangnick was named the interim manager, is having a difficult start to the 2023-24 season as United has dropped three of their first five games. Ronaldo on the other hand, is having a great outing in Saudi Arabia, where he represents Al-Nassr. He almost led the side to a title in the previous season but missed out on the last matchday. He has found the net 21 times in just 26 appearances along with seven appearances.