“How are we going to defend ourselves” - Solskjaer opens up on how ex-Manchester United coach warned him about re-signing Cristiano Ronaldo

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed that former Manchester United coach Kieran McKenna warned him about re-signing Cristiano Ronaldo. The legendary Portuguese forward began his second stint at Old Trafford in the summer of 2021, to the delight of many fans.

Ronaldo became one of the best players in the world during his first stint at the club. Joining in 2003 as a teenager, he went on to win his first Ballon d'Or in 2008. In 2009, he left for Real Madrid, where he became a club legend across a nine-year stint before joining Juventus in 2018.

After three years in Italy, Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Manchester United. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was delighted about the signing but Kieran McKenna, who worked under the Norwegian manager at the time, raised concerns.

Apparently, McKenna had watched Ronaldo's final six games for Juventus and was worried that the Red Devils would struggle defensively in the striker's presence. Solskjaer revealed to Norwegian media outlet NRK (via The People's Person):

“'How are we going to defend ourselves?' That’s the first thing he [McKenna] says.”

Solskjaer said he should have probably listened to the coach, saying:

“It was probably a wrong choice for all of us. But we felt it was the right decision then and there.”

Manchester United fired the Norwegian manager after he managed Cristiano Ronaldo for just 13 games. The Portuguese legend ended up playing under a series of managers, including Ralf Rangnick and Erik ten Hag.

Ronaldo went on to slam the club's decision to hire both managers, openly saying in his infamous interview with Piers Morgan that he did not respect Ten Hag. The interview, in which he lashed out at the club hierarchy and former teammates, led to a mutual termination of his contract.

After leaving Manchester United in November 2022, Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia in January 2023.

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Former Manchester United striker believes Cristiano Ronaldo could return to Old Trafford

Former Manchester United striker Teddy Sheringham believes Cristiano Ronaldo could return to Old Trafford under new head coach Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese coach has replaced former manager Erik ten Hag, while interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy has left his role.

Despite the acrimonious circumstances that saw Ronaldo leave the club in 2022, Sheringham believes the Red Devils would welcome him with open arms. Speaking to Flash Score, he said (via talkSPORT):

“Cristiano Ronaldo would be very welcome back at Manchester United under Ruben Amorim, but he is onto bigger and better things... I'm sure he'd be very, very welcome in any capacity coming back to the club, but I doubt that he'll be a coach."

In the meantime, the legendary Portuguese striker has less than a year left on his contract at Al-Nassr, which will end in June 2025. It is uncertain if he will extend his time in the Gulf or potentially return to Europe.