Benni McCarthy gives green light for controversial Manchester United reunion | Football | Sport

Benni McCarthy thinks it would be a good idea for Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United to have a reunion in the near future. According to reports, the Red Devils are weighing up the option of hosting a controversial mid-season friendly against Ronaldo’s current club, Al-Nassr, over the next few months.

The planned fixture, likely staged in Saudi Arabia, would give Ronaldo the chance to have a proper farewell United supporters after his second tenure at Old Trafford ended on a bitter note. Ronaldo returned in 2021 after a 12-year absence, but his contract was terminated just over a year later following his explosive interview with Piers Morgan, where he openly criticised both the club and manager Erik ten Hag. McCarthy, Ten Hag’s former assistant, has stressed that despite the acrimonious exit, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner still deserves a dignified send-off from the fans.

“I think the manner that he left, it wasn’t a fitting manner for such an unbelievable, world-class player of his stature,” McCarthy told Best Betting Sites. “So if that is the case that United get to play against Al Nassr, it will be a nice way for him as well to reconnect with the club that he’s achieved so much with and the club that put him on the map in world football.

“It would [also] be a nice way for him to say goodbye to his team-mates. Because I know for a fact after that interview dropped he just left and we never saw him again.

“He never got to say goodbye to the players, to his team-mates and to the technical staff that was there. But this might give him a proper opportunity to reunite with the United faithful again. And the fans that will be there will give him a nice farewell, because that’s what he deserves for what he’s achieved at the club.”

Ronaldo’s second stint started well but coincided with a slump in form that contributed to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer losing his job. While he continued to score, critics argued his presence sometimes disrupted United’s tactical balance.

He finished the season with a 24 goals in all competitions, though it was insufficient to secure Champions League football. Over the summer, Ronaldo grew increasingly dissatisfied and pushed for an exit. Missing much of United’s pre-season in an effort to push through a transfer, Ronaldo was often left out of Ten Hag’s starting eleven.

In his interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo said he felt “betrayed” by Ten Hag and criticised the club for no longer being the force it once was under Sir Alex Ferguson. His contract was terminated just before the 2022 World Cup, after which he signed with Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.

Since moving to Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo has scored 105 goals in 118 appearances, leading a football revolution in the region. His presence has encouraged other high-profile players to join the league, raising its global profile. Even though Ronaldo’s departure left a sour aftertaste, he remains a cherished figure among United fans and a final match against his former club would surely be celebrated.

United have been exploring revenue-boosting friendly matches, which could also fill midweek gaps created by missing European competition, with Al-Nassr considered a top option. Manager Ruben Amorim has spoken positively about staging such games, fueling hopes for an emotional reunion. “We have to do it. And you know, we knew that when we missed out on Europe, we have a lot of things to do,” he said.

“We have our fans, we have the budget, we have to to compensate for a lot of things. So we have to do it. We will do it. We want to be with our fans around the world. If you have to do it, you have to manage to find the space to do it.”