Jamie Carragher suggested Cristiano Ronaldo may actually damage Manchester United’s ambitions of winning the Premier League.
Writing for the Telegraph, Carragher assessed the exciting race for top-flight superiority.
Unfortunately for United, the former Liverpool defender had them down for finishing last in this four-way pursuit.
As it stands, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men are back of the pack in terms of the assault on the division’s summit.
Ahead of them: Manchester, Liverpool and Chelsea in that order.
Both the Manchester clubs are level on points, although the blue half of the city are just in front on goal difference.
Liverpool remain unbeaten, yet three draws have dragged them below Thomas Tuchel’s team, who currently sit in the driving seat.
United or disbanded?
United are still trying to rev up their engine, with clouds of smoke continuing to blow out the exhaust.
Despite adding the machine that is Ronaldo, the Portugal captain hasn’t solved Solskjaer’s problems.
In fact, Carragher believed CR7 has actually inflamed the Red Devils issues.
“They remain a team of individuals rather than a team,” said the Sky Sports pundit.
“Cristiano Ronaldo has added to that rather than fixed it.
“That’s why, despite a brilliant squad, they are not yet at the level of the other three.
“Dropping five points in their last two home games highlighted lingering inconsistency.”
Reds in ruins?
A draw to Everton and defeat to Aston Villa at Old Trafford are the relinquished points Carragher is referring to.
Games the United of old would have typically won with their eyes closed.
But as often repeated, this is no longer Alex Ferguson’s love child.
Solskjaer is doing his best to avoid repeating the mishaps of Jose Mourinho, Louis van Gaal and David Moyes.
However, at least Mourinho and van Gaal managed to win a trophy, an achievement that’s so far evaded the Norwegian.
His side are already out of the Carabao Cup and looking shaky in the Champions League.
Continue in this vein of form, and United will end up silverware-less for another season.
And potentially manager-less at some stage, unless Solskjaer can steady the ship once again.
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