Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brace in Al-Nassr’s 5-0 away victory against Al-Adalah on Tuesday… but the Saudi giants are still one point behind leaders Al-Ittihad.
Piers Morgan has labelled Erik ten Hag’s decision to replace Cristiano Ronaldo with Wout Weghorst is “one of the worst in football history”.
The broadcaster’s damning and questionable verdict comes after Ronaldo scored a brace in Al-Nassr’s 5-0 triumph at Al-Adalah on Tuesday. Brazilian playmaker Talisca also found the net twice before Saudi Arabia international Ayman Yahya finished off the scoring.
Ronaldo now has 11 goals in just nine Saudi Pro League appearances for Al-Nassr, while Weghorst is yet to score in the Premier League for Manchester United. As such, Ronaldo’s biggest cheerleader Morgan believes Ten Hag has made an error of judgement.
After Ronaldo scored to make it 3-0 to Al-Nassr, Morgan tweeted, “Two more goals for Cristiano so far tonight, including this superb one which once again suggests Ten Hag’s decision to dump him for Wout Weghorst was one of the worst in football history.”
Ronaldo was shown the door by Ten Hag after criticising the United boss, the club’s hierarchy and several former employees in a sensational interview with Morgan in November. He then completed a free transfer to Saudi club Al-Nassr in January.
Despite Morgan’s view, Ten Hag had his reasons for axing Ronaldo. As well as that interview, Ronaldo refused to come on during a Premier League game against Tottenham in October and even left Old Trafford before United’s 2-0 win finished.
Ronaldo’s United form was also woeful. He scored just once in 10 Premier League outings this season and offered little to the team in terms of link-up play and assists (none). That was not good enough for a player earning around £500,000-a-week.
Ten Hag’s lack of budget during the January transfer window forced him to look at a cheaper alternative to Ronaldo. Weghorst was signed on loan from Burnley after scoring eight goals in 16 league games during a loan spell at Besiktas earlier in the term.
Weghorst’s Premier League record for United is poor, as he has provided just one assist in nine outings. He has scored a couple of goals in the Europa League and Carabao Cup, however, helping Ten Hag’s side win the latter competition at Wembley in February.
United fans also appreciate Weghorst’s work rate and link-up play, believing he is an upgrade on Ronaldo. Having said that, most supporters accept that Weghorst is not the answer to their striker dilemma and expect a new forward to arrive this summer.
Despite Ronaldo’s exploits, Al-Nassr have actually slipped down the table since his arrival. They are now second in the Saudi Pro League – one point behind leaders Al-Ittihad having played the same amount of games. There are just eight fixtures remaining.
Yet Ronaldo could end the season with a prize, as he’s in contention to win the division’s Golden Boot – despite joining halfway through the season. The Portugal international is five goals behind top scorers Talisca and former United striker Odion Ighalo.
Source: mirror.co.uk
