Manchester United legend tells club to make big decision on penalties

After signing Cristiano Ronaldo this summer, Manchester United must be considered as one of the favourites in the Premier League title race this season. The club had already finished second last season and managed to reach the Europa League final as well. Now, the hope will be that they take one step further and bring some silverware to Old Trafford.

It is safe to say that the squad is incredible at this point of time and as good as any other team’s in the Premier League, at least on paper. Now, it remains to be seen how they gel together and perform on the pitch.

Following the arrival of Ronaldo, one of the biggest questions is surrounding who will take the club’s penalties and free-kicks. The Portuguese superstar has taken them wherever he has been for around a decade-and-a-half now. But on the other hand, Bruno Fernandes has done a brilliant job taking them since arriving at Old Trafford. The Red Devils certainly have a decision to make.

Rio Ferdinand believes that while it should be Ronaldo taking the spot-kicks, Fernandes must still be on the free-kicks. While speaking on his Rio Ferdinand presents FIVE YouTube channel and as reported by Manchester Evening News, he said:

"“I think Bruno gives up the penalties, but doesn’t relinquish free-kicks and corners — unless he doesn’t take corners. Free-kicks around the box, he’s going to be on them I think.“I think he will be. His record demands that he should do that. I think he [Ronaldo] takes the penalties, 100 per cent, they agree to give him the penalties, but free-kicks around the box I think Bruno is wiping the ball down and taking it from there.“Bruno sees the bigger picture; ‘This guy can get us over the line to win trophies’.“If that means his percentage of goal involvements goes down, but gets his hands on a big trophy, I know that he would take that all-day long.”"

More from Manchester United News

• Aaron Wan Bissaka out for ‘several weeks’ with injury
• Sofyan Amrabat set to miss game against Brighton
• Preview: Manchester United vs Brighton – What you need to know
• Jadon Sancho set to train away from first team squad
• Mike Phelan blasts Manchester United teammates over Ronaldo exit

Manchester United have a big decision to make surrounding Fernandes and Ronaldo

It is certainly a big call and one that the club will have to make sooner or later. Fernandes has been one of the best penalty takers in the world in recent times. But Ronaldo is the kind of player who thrives on goals. At this stage of his career, he is no longer the tricky winger that he was during his first stint at Old Trafford.

Thus, it might be a good idea to keep him on penalty duty. While it will most probably have an effect on Fernandes’ output, Ronaldo is a great penalty taker in his own right.

On the other hand, while some of Ronaldo’s goals from free-kicks over the years might be legendary, he has not been very consistent with them in recent years. Thus, Fernandes taking them could be the way forward for Solskjaer’s side.