Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Hints That He Will Drop Cristiano Ronaldo Again

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has responded to criticism over his decision to bench Cristiano Ronaldo vs Everton, and hinted that he might do it again in the future.

Manchester United were in poor form just ahead of the recent international break and it was rounded off by a 1-1 draw with Everton.

Though he finished the match on the pitch, and came on with United 1-0 up, Ronaldo was benched from the start and showed his displeasure at full time.

The decision not to start 36-year-old was met with plenty of criticism, with even Sir Alex Ferguson telling Khabib Nurmagomedov you should 'always start your best player,' in one of football's odder stories.

Despite all that, Solskjaer has hinted that he would bench Ronaldo again, and hit out at criticism saying he'll manage the players.

"He’s an exceptional player, exceptional finisher, goalscorer, an exceptional professional," the former United striker said of the current one at his pre match press conference on Friday.

Ronaldo came on for Cavani against Everton. Image: PA Images

"It’s hard to leave him out and I think everyone would love to – how do you say? – if you can go and play six games in six days and play the same eleven every time.

"It’s great, but rotation – we need to get to April and May with everyone firing.

"We got to May in the final stretch of last season and we were too tired. I manage the players for the club."

Ronaldo marched down the tunnel after the draw. Image: PA Images

As well as the criticism from Fergie, voices outside of the club also laid into the manager over his decision to drop the Champions League all time top goalscorer, just days after his 95th minute goal had secured a win vs Villarreal.

Gabriel Agbonlahor claimed it was a 'sackable offence,' and Dietmar Hamann called the former striker 'pathetic,' adding, "The one and only reason why Manchester United are still in the title race and doing alright in the Champions League is Cristiano Ronaldo.

"I don't know where they would be without him or his goals. It is all patchwork. Old Trafford, that used to be the Theatre of Dreams, now it is more like the Theatre of Nightmares."

Things don't get any easier for Solskjaer now the international break is over, with Leicester City this weekend, followed by league games with Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City in the following weeks.

Topics: Premier League, Manchester United, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Cristiano Ronaldo

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a journalist for SPORTbible with over eight years of experience. Passionate about all sports, he mainly covers football and F1 - Daniel Ricciardo once spent an entire interview referring to him as 'Ryan Gosling,' still his proudest moment.

@Sidler28