IGNORING RONALDO WAS THE DOWNFALL FOR UNITED

GRAEME SOUNESS believes Manchester United are about to pay the inevitable price of failing to heed the warnings of Cristiano Ronaldo.

- BY SIMON MULLOCK

On a day when great rivals Liverpool could draw level with United's record of 20 league championship crowns, the men from Old Trafford are desperate for three points as they bid to defy the prospect of their worst-ever Premier League finish.

Liverpool legend Souness, who is 72 next month, can still spot a winner from a mile off. And something resonated with the former Anfield midfielder when Ronaldo went public about the failings he saw at Old Trafford, after returning to United in 2021.

The Portugal star had been looking to find a glorious Premier League homecoming chapter for the story of one of the world's greatest-ever players, following stints with Real Madrid and Juventus.

But instead Ronaldo found himself sacked.

Souness says the sight of Virgil van Dijk with English football's top prize in his hands, potentially this afternoon, would suggest United got rid of the wrong man.

"When Cristiano returned to Old Trafford, he was the perfect role model for the players in United's squad," said Souness.

"He is the consummate professional, someone who demanded the highest standards from himself and those around him.