Cristiano Ronaldo could disagree with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on his best position for Manchester United ahead of his second debut for the club this weekend.
The Portuguese forward is set to play for United against Newcastle on Saturday, but it is unknown whether he will play on the wing or up top.
According to West Ham legend Paulo Di Canio reckons, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has returned to Old Trafford to reclaim his place on the wing – not to play centre-forward.
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Ronaldo started his career out on the left wing and would regularly take players on during his first stint at the theatre of dreams.
He eventually joined Real Madrid and was used to devastating effect in most attacking positions before finally morphing into a centre-forward.
At Juventus, Ronaldo was mainly played up top, but Di Canio isn’t convinced he wants to be used as a lone striker in Solskjaer’s team this campaign.
While speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport’s In The Box podcast, Di Canio said: “Ronaldo will improve the technical level, but he joins a team with many strikers and wingers.
“Solskjaer said he sees him as a center-forward, but Ronaldo didn’t want to do it at Juventus. “I still see him starting on the left, but United have other players in the same position, including Sancho, who was paid €85m, but has been struggling to settle in so far.”
Di Canio added: “[Marcus] Rashford will return, [Mason] Greenwood and [Anthony] Martial too. Solskjaer leaves his strikers free up front, so this could be good for Ronaldo.
“There is enthusiasm, but it remains to be seen if Ronaldo will be a cumbersome presence like Zlatan [Ibrahimovic] was. Sometimes, young players without much personality didn’t understand he wanted the best from them.”
Meanwhile, The Portugal international will wear his trademark seven shirt after Edinson Cavani agreed to hand over the number to him and sport 21, which is what he wears for Uruguay.
