Former defender Paul Parker has accused Cristiano Ronaldo of not being a “top professional” following his return to Manchester United, suggesting he has unsettled the rhythm of the squad.
The Portuguese international, who will be hoping to return from injury when United face Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday evening, returned to the club at the end of the summer transfer window on a two-year deal from Juventus.
Despite having scored 14 goals so far this season, cementing himself as United’s leading goalscorer, questions have been raised about the overall impact of his return on the rest of the squad — even though they have tended to get better results with him in the side.
Nevertheless, Parker — who admitted that Ronaldo is a “top player” — is not convinced about the Portuguese star’s professionalism, suggesting that his return to Old Trafford immediately put pressure on the rest of the squad.
Parker told indiabetting : “I wouldn’t say he’s a top pro.
“Straight away they couldn’t help talking about how he’s changed the diet and the players because of this, he’s eating this and he’s eating that, so what, everyone’s different, everyone’s metabolisms are different, your mindset is different, how you approach everything your training to games, all different.
“So I think Ronaldo turning up put everyone under pressure, sold a load of jerseys, PR-wise it was brilliant for the club.
“I think it affected the mindset of a lot of other players as well. It’s about being a top player, and being a top pro, and Ronaldo is a top player, he’s proved that.
“But all of a sudden, look what he’s doing, look what he’s got. It’s great what he’s got, fantastic. But I’m different, I like to think I’m different, and I’m going to do it, started doing it my way, and so that puts pressure on a lot of players.
“So it hasn’t worked out on the field with him on the pitch.”
Parker also said that United must focus on their overall application and style to move forward as a club, rather than focussing on how to accommodate the former Real Madrid man.
“For United to go on to where they want to be, where they should be, Cristiano Ronaldo cannot be in the team, it can’t happen,” he added.
“He has changed his game, he’s adapted, he’s adjusted himself, got himself in a different body shape to go and play as a centre-forward, but he went there (to Juventus) and he was still out zipping around.
“But it wasn’t those lengthy runs which he used to do before in wide areas, so he could do it around the box. Juventus could keep the ball in the final third, so they could work in that area and be busy. United can’t keep the ball.
“He can’t play that role (as a striker). He struggled under Ole to do it, because in theory, he’s not a centre-forward in the Premier League. He’s not going to play that way. He can’t play out wide as he used to do.
“So, you can’t get Ronaldo in the game. So at the moment in time, you look at it and it’s just always going to be talked about. It’s Ronaldo and Manchester United. Where in theory it should always be Manchester United first.”
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