Gary Neville backs Man Utd ‘bright light’ to shine under Erik ten Hag
Gary Neville claims Cristiano Ronaldo has been the “bright light” for Manchester United this season and claims he continues to be a “phenomenon”.
Ronaldo scored a brilliant equaliser for United in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Old Trafford to take his tally for the season to 23 in all competitions.
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He’s been criticised at times this season but continues to score amid the lethargy and lack of quality of his teammates.
And Neville has praised the 37-year-old to the hilt, labelling him a “sensation”.
Neville told Sky Sports: “He came to score goals, and he’s scoring goals. He must be incredibly frustrated. It’s [this team’s performances] not what he wanted at the end of his career, not what he wanted on his return to Manchester United, but he still continues.
“His persistence, his determination to continue to contribute to score goals is absolutely incredible.
“You can’t really speak highly enough of him. His goal tonight was wonderful. He doesn’t really lose that belief in himself when you can see that’s a team lacking in confidence completely, yet his is still there.
“He’s still scored plenty of goals for united in a team that isn’t co-ordinated, hasn’t got a plan, but he’s a sensation, absolute sensation.”
Neville added that the recent death of his newborn son makes his recent contributions particularly impressive, before backing him to play an important role under Erik ten Hag next season.
He said: “The recovery from the tragedy last week, he could easily have said for compassionate reasons ‘I’m staying at home.’
“He has been a bright light in a poor season. It will be really interesting with Erik ten Hag what happens at end of the season.
“He will want a goalscorer, he wants someone who can put the ball in the back of he net 20 to 25 times, and he’s got that man. Can United use Cristiano Ronaldo as a bridge to get them through Erik ten Hag’s first season? Cristiano Ronaldo is a phenomenon, he’s a global icon.”
