“Why Cristiano Ronaldo will leave Man Utd in the summer” – Merson

Arsenal legend Paul Merson believes Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo will leave the Red Devils in the summer despite only joining the club from Juventus last summer.

He told Daily Star: “Manchester United needing an interim manager is a shambles – and Cristiano Ronaldo might decide to walk away in the summer.

“He won’t be hanging around if they don’t finish in the top four because he will want to end his career in the Champions League.

“And that doesn’t look terribly likely right now because United are a mess and will probably get thrashed by Chelsea this weekend.

“It might actually suit all parties if he leaves anyway because if they appoint Mauricio Pochettino and he wants to press from the front, you’re not doing that with Ronaldo.

“But what I really don’t get is why the biggest club in the world needs an interim manager. It’s like they are writing this season off – like you’re admitting no-one good enough to be considered long term will take the job. That says it all.

“This is Manchester United. That should not be happening. This job should be one of the most wanted jobs in football.

“I find it extraordinary that a club like this should need an interim manager. For a massive club like this, it’s so off the cuff. They need to be appointing a permanent manager now.”