“My problem started when we signed him. The players stopped playing well all of a sudden. I couldn’t control the situation at that time, that was the same thing tha happened with him and Erik Ten Hag”-Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has finally admitted what Manchester United fans always suspected was the problem about Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United which is still affecting the club now

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer recently opened up about his decision to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to Manchester United during his tenure as manager, confirming long-held suspicions among fans about the iconic forward’s return to Old Trafford.

Ronaldo’s journey with United began in 2003 when the club signed him from Sporting Lisbon for over £12 million, with the young winger stepping in to fill the void left by David Beckham’s departure. Under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson, Ronaldo blossomed into one of the world’s best players, winning three Premier League titles, the Champions League, and his first Ballon d’Or during his time in Manchester. His incredible performances earned him a then-record transfer to Real Madrid in 2009 for £80 million.

While at Madrid, Ronaldo further cemented his legacy as a footballing great. He won two La Liga titles and an impressive four additional Champions League trophies. During his nine-year stint with the Spanish giants, Ronaldo also collected four more Ballon d’Ors, solidifying his place among the sport’s elite. After leaving Madrid, he continued his dominance at Juventus, securing two Serie A titles following a €100 million move. Then, in a move that tugged at the heartstrings of fans, Ronaldo returned to Manchester United in the summer of 2021, reuniting with Solskjaer, his former teammate.

However, Ronaldo’s second chapter at United didn’t unfold as successfully as many had hoped. His return was overshadowed by off-field controversies and internal tensions. His time at the club ended under Erik ten Hag’s management after an explosive interview with Piers Morgan, where Ronaldo openly criticized the club. This interview led to a mutual termination of his contract, and Ronaldo soon after joined Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League at 39 years old.

Solskjaer, who departed from his managerial role at United in November 2021 after a series of disappointing results, has now offered his perspective on Ronaldo’s return. Speaking at the Oslo Business Forum, Solskjaer revealed that United’s decision to re-sign Ronaldo was partially motivated by a desire to prevent him from joining Manchester City, a fierce rival. However, he acknowledged that the move had unintended consequences on the team’s internal dynamics, hinting at the disruption Ronaldo’s arrival may have caused in the dressing room.

“Cristiano has been one of the world’s best players for the last 15 years, and he had a deep history with Manchester United. When he was leaving Juventus, we couldn’t allow him to sign for Manchester City,” Solskjaer explained. “If he had gone to City, he probably would have scored more goals than Erling Haaland is scoring now.”

Solskjaer went on to discuss the impact of Ronaldo’s return on the team, admitting that while Ronaldo’s talent was undeniable, his presence may have shifted the balance within the squad. “I spoke to Cristiano, and we made the decision to bring him back to United. But I believe it may have affected the dynamics in the dressing room. Some players could have felt less important because, naturally, he is one of the biggest superstars in the world.”

Despite these challenges, Solskjaer acknowledged Ronaldo’s individual contributions, pointing out that he was the club’s top scorer that season with 24 goals. Yet, this success wasn’t enough to save Solskjaer’s job, as he was dismissed just 10 weeks after Ronaldo’s return.

Since his departure from United, Solskjaer has remained out of football management, though he has expressed a desire to return to the game in some capacity, possibly even at Old Trafford in the future. As for Ronaldo, his current contract with Al Nassr is set to expire next year, leaving fans speculating about what the future holds for the legendary forward.