Ronaldo left Man United after his bombshell interview with Piers Morgan before signing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia on a free transfer.
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane says Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from the club has helped Erik ten Hag.
Five first-team players left Old Trafford on free transfers following the end of last season, while back-up goalkeeper Lee Grant retired at the age of 39. Ronaldo then joined that list of exits in late November after his United contract was terminated by mutual agreement before officially joining Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr in the new year.
Midfielders Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic and Jesse Lingard as well as forward Edinson Cavani were the quintet namechecked by Keane during Sky Sports’ post-match coverage of the club’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest. The pundit did, though, stress that he wasn’t “knocking all of these players”.
Keane was then asked by Sky Sports presenter Mark Chapman directly about Ronaldo leaving and he said: “That has helped (Ten Hag) with managing the club. Nobody wanted that hanging over for the second part of the season.
“These lads who were coming off the bench, fringe players, they weren’t bringing much because they felt they should have been starting. The subs or so-called fringe players now come on ready, whereas last year they were energy sappers.”
Ronaldo left United by mutual consent after criticising several elements of the club in an interview with Piers Morgan. He is yet to score a competitive goal for Al-Nassr.
