Ronaldo Shouldn’t Have Done Interview, Shocked & Disappointed

Brown says he’s disappointed with the way that Ronaldo has openly slated Manchester United and boss Erik Ten Hag.

Brown said: “I’ve not seen the whole interview yet, I’ve just seen some snippets but honestly I’m just shocked that it’s got to this point. It’s one of those situations where it’s become more and more obvious that he wants to leave the club. Personally I think you should go about it in a different way but Ronaldo will feel a certain way and has decided that this is the course of action he wants to take. I’m a bit gutted about the whole situation but until I’ve seen the whole thing it’s hard to say too much else on it. But I am disappointed with how it’s played out because he’s been a great person and great professional up until now. Ultimately when there’s stuff to be said like this that you do it behind closed doors and with the right people. This hasn’t been done that way.

Ronaldo is a mega star and he felt he had to do it this way but it’s something I certainly wouldn’t have done and probably most others wouldn’t have either. I’m pretty sure that this is the way wanted he wanted it to go. They’re off to Qatar now and he won’t be back at United until mid December but then it’s up to the club and the player because they’ll have to talk about it at some point. The timing of the interview probably makes that not possible for a while. We’ll hear more in the next couple of weeks but clearly the result of the timing is that everyone’s not at the club for the next six weeks or so.”

Ten Hag won’t be fazed by Ronaldo’s antics and will focus on rest of squad

Brown sang the praises of Ten Hag and believes the Ronaldo situation is now for the club to sort out while the manager can focus on the rest of his squad.

Brown said: “He’ll just deal with it because he’s got a squad of players that he’ll be more focused on. This is obviously a situation that’s not needed at any time but Ten Hag will just get on with what he’s got now, with or without Ronaldo. I think Ronaldo would’ve left Manchester United in the summer anyway but that might change now whereby he leaves a bit earlier. There’ll be lots of contractual scenarios that need sorting out but ultimately it’s down to the club and Ronaldo to handle that and for Ten Hag to focus on the team.”

Agrees with Ronaldo that Man Utd have stagnated since Fergie departed in 2013

Ronaldo was critical of Manchester United managerial appointments since Sir Alex Ferguson left the club and while Brown agrees mistakes have been made he is confident that Ten Hag is the man for the job.

Brown said: “I think since the manager’s gone (Fergie) you can see that Manchester United have struggled. Yes they’ve won bits here and there under other managers but that consistency has not been there for a while now. The new manager has come in now and I think he’s done a really good job. I think some of the signings are really good and you can see some real progress. I can understand that the past is the past but to reach the heights of those times again is going to take a long time.”

Believes youngster Alejandro Garnacho will flourish under Ten Hag’s management

Garnacho scored a crucial late winner against Fulham on Sunday and Brown is convinced he has a bright future at Man Utd under his Dutch manager’s guidance

Brown said: “He’s come in and been wonderful and I do think the manager is doing the right thing in terms of how much he’s playing Garnacho. He could’ve easily started the last two or three games because of the impact he’s had on the team. He’s very direct, young and enthusiastic. It’s infectious. He’s given the manager a good problem, he was excellent against Fulham he’s exactly the player you want in that situation. He’s going to be great in the future and at this point in time he’s doing a fantastic job.”

Harry Maguire has huge decision to make on future after World Cup

Maguire has been benched by Ten Hag and Brown reckons while the World Cup will provide welcome relief from his club situation, the defender will have a though decision to make on his future soon.

Brown said “Maguire is a great player but Lisandro Martinez has come in and deservedly taken his place. When Varane was fit, him and Martinez built a really good partnership but Maguire will want to play football. He’s been United captain and he’s been England captain. He’s got the World Cup to focus on now and yes he would’ve loved some more games and it will get to the point where he wants to play, but I don’t think anything will happen anytime soon.

If the manager keeps him out of the team he will have to make a decision because there will be other clubs that will want to sign Harry. Equally he will want to show everyone that he can still get back in the team. It’s a difficult situation because he’s behind Lindelof too now. It’s a confidence thing like Rashford last season, but Maguire cost a lot of money and expectations are high.”

Names three Man Utd players who have excelled under Ten Hag this season

Brown named a defender and two midfielders who have been among the best players at Old Trafford this season.

Brown said: “Luke Shaw, Christian Eriksen and Casemiro for me. Luke Shaw’s stepped up again. He’s been quality and got back to his best. Maybe the competition of having Tyrell Malacia arrive in the summer has helped too. Casemiro was a bit off the pace in his first three games but ever since then he’s been really impressive. The way him and Eriksen control the midfield now, they don’t panic or just play backwards. It’s first time passes round the corner and once the confidence started growing in midfield you see things opening up. They’ve really shone in this United team for me in the last couple of months.”