If I am the manager, I am telling him to sit: Rio Ferdinand on Ronaldo’s touchline antics against Young Boys

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has said that he would have told Cristiano Ronaldo to sit down had he been in place of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in their opening Champions League encounter against Young Boys in Bern on Tuesday. Solskjaer decided to substitute Ronaldo in the 72nd minute with Jesse Lingard in order to protect his player.

However, the star striker was seen passing instructions to his players from the touchline after he was substituted, which Ferdinand didn’t like. The former Red Devils center-back feels it might have put some extra pressure on the players if someone of the stature of Ronaldo is shouting instructions from the sideline.

Furthermore, Manchester United was reduced to 10-man after Aaron Wan-Bissakka received a red card in the 35th minute, which must have put extra pressure on the team.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo’s passion to win every game he plays is well known. In fact, Ronaldo was seen passing instructions to his Portugal teammates in the Euro 2016 final against France when he was ruled out due to injury.

Ferdinand said while talking to BT Sport, “If I’m the manager, I’ve got to be honest, I’m telling him to sit down.”

“I get it. You know, with Cristiano people go, “Oh it’s bravado, it’s for the fans”. He’s just a passionate guy. He wants to win, he’s desperate to win, and he can’t hold it in.

“If that means he has to go up there and stand next to the manager, shouting instructions etcetera, so be it. When it’s someone of his standing and stature in the game how can you argue with it?”

Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo had scored in the 13th minute for Manchester United but the visitors were shocked by Young Boys. Ronaldo had also scored a brace in his second debut for the United against Newcastle United.