“Wouldn’t be surprised”: Solskjaer gives his verdict on how long Ronaldo could go on before retiring

We All Follow United

·25 September 2021

“Wouldn’t be surprised”: Solskjaer gives his verdict on how long Ronaldo could go on before retiring

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer backs Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo to play on into his 40s

Talking in an interview (h/t Sky Sports), Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has predicted that Cristiano Ronaldo can go on playing at the top level even when he turns 40 years old.

Many players are well into the twilight of their professional careers by the time they cross 35, but that hasn’t been the case for Ronaldo. In fact, Solskjaer believes that the former Real Madrid and Juventus man keep playing even beyond his 40th birthday.

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“I wouldn’t be surprised if he still played when he was 40, not at all, because of the way he looks after himself. That’s the key to it – and of course some genes. There must be some genes as well, some DNA in there.”

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 4 goals already for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United. (imago Images)

Ronaldo’s move from Juventus this summer was one of the biggest talking points in football. And the Red Devils’ investment has already paid dividends, with the Portuguese international scoring 4 goals in three games.

Getting the shooting boots on

This included a brace against Newcastle United at Old Trafford in the Premier League – which was his first game since re-joining the club after 12 years. But at 36, he should not be the sole goal-getter for Solskjaer’s team.

That is what the Norwegian gaffer thinks as well. He has mentioned in an interview (h/t Mirror) how the attackers have already opened their accounts for the season and that he expects four more stars to contribute on that front as the season goes on.

Marcus Rashford is yet to return from his injury. (imago Images)

“Marcus [Rashford] has yet to come back, of course, and Anthony, Jadon [Sancho], Edinson [Cavani], they will score goals. It has to be spread around, that’s for sure. Paul [Pogba] will score goals too. It’s been a long long time since we’ve had one main 30 or 40 goals-a-year striker.”

For United, Jadon Sancho is yet to kick on and Edinson Cavani will see more playing time as the season progresses. The club isn’t short of goal-scorers, with Bruno Fernandes a major threat from midfield. And given the attacking riches at Solskjaer’s disposal, nothing short of winning the club’s first trophy since 2017 would satisfy the fans this season.