Rene Meulensteen makes Cristiano Ronaldo admission over his Manchester United return

The 37-year-old Portuguese forward is United's top goalscorer this season.

Rene Meulensteen has told Manchester United that Cristiano Ronaldo is not the problem at Old Trafford this season.

The 37-year-old ace has been in fine goalscoring form for United. Ronaldo has already notched 24 goals this season, with his latest coming from the penalty spot in the 3-0 win over Brentford.

On occasions this season, Ronaldo has been criticised for his form. However, Meulensteen believes Ronaldo has been United's saviour this campaign.

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Speaking on the Training Ground Guru podcast, he said: "What do you want to do to become the best player in the world? We need to score more goals, therefore United are going to win more games.

"There is no point you scoring three goals but United lose 4-3 because you don’t track back. Your scoring goals is a tool to get what you want, winning more games.

"I don’t want to be funny, but if it wasn’t for Cristiano Ronaldo and the goals he has scored this season, where would we be? The only thing if I was involved with him now… he is still the predator, he still wants to come in the end phase, but I think he needs to start to understand there should be more appreciation for him to be a more important part playing in the game.

"If Cristiano drops in pockets, he never does anything spectacular, he just pops it off and walks away. But he’s a good footballer.

"But again you need to start that transition - 'Cristiano, you can be much more important for Man United if your contribution is bigger'. But nobody has probably ever addressed that with him and he doesn’t see it.

"Although he is 37 he feels 27 - ‘I want to score goals.’ Yes, you will still score the goals, maybe less, but you will be more important for the team and it will be better for United."

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