Simon Jordan believes the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo will prove to be Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s ‘undoing’ as Manchester United manager.
The Norwegian is coming under intense pressure after an indifferent start to the season, which has seen United lose three times in all competitions already.
Having spent almost half a billion pounds in transfers since taking charge two-and-a-half years ago, Solskjaer seemingly added the missing pieces to the puzzle by bringing in Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane, plus the celebrated return of Ronaldo, this summer.
Yet, his decision to rest the Portugal captain during the 1-1 draw against Everton on Saturday afternoon has led to public outcry.
Although he may be 36, Ronaldo’s incredible dedication to his craft means he is capable of playing 90 minutes more than once a week – rendering the decision to start him on the bench against the Toffees null and void.
He played just 33 minutes of action as he came off the bench against Everton, and appeared to be fuming as he muttered angrily to himself in Portuguese as he stormed off the pitch at full-time.
And former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan believes the continued criticism of Solskjaer will only result in the Old Trafford legend’s demise as manager.
He said: “If you’ve got a manager who is being superseded by a player, the manager needs to be the biggest personality, the biggest image in people’s minds.
“We all know talent wins games, but ultimately, he needs to be P.T Barnum – not Ronaldo.
“He needs to be the circus master and it is a problem that will be built up and spun up and it will be his undoing.
“The signing of Cristiano Ronaldo will be his undoing, because it will be the narrative, it will be the stick that is used against him every single time that it doesn’t work the way it should do.
“I tell you why I am not surprised; when a player walks off the pitch giving it the big’un because he is not happy about it, rather than towing the line and showing a bit of respect to the manager that has picked him or not picked him.
“You’re going to have this, you’re going to have the opportunity for journalists to come in and say, ‘look at what he is doing, there is a rift developing there.’
“All of a sudden, it will be Ronaldo against the manager, or it’ll be about what is happening with Ronaldo.
“The point I made was about Bruno Fernandes. I was more interested in listening to the situation with Bruno Fernandes, talking about the lack of return in these games and the real disappointment he felt.
“Rather than the grinning, gurning Norwegian that’s talking about this young pup and how he knows better than the so-called expert.”
Download talkSPORT Edge NOW!
It's the free football app that keeps you one step ahead of your mates with short, sharp and shareable content.
Whether it’s goals as they go in or the latest from your club, stay up to date with everything going on in football with breaking news, live scores and in-app betting.