'HUGE VALUE'
CRISTIANO RONALDO will still offer huge value to Manchester United next season, claims Nigel Winterburn.
The Arsenal legend would be stunned to see Ronaldo leave the Red Devils after just one year back at Old Trafford.
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Ronaldo, 37, has been linked with a summer exit amid uncertainty over his role under incoming boss Erik ten Hag.
Winterburn, 58, told Paddy Power: "Manchester United won’t just bring Cristiano Ronaldo in for one season and ship him out so quickly, it just won’t happen.
"He still offers huge value to Manchester United, and we’ve seen that in his goalscoring record. His age is but a number.
"He has huge experience, and he could play an important role if United opt to go down the younger route in setting an example of how to train and play, as well as what it means to win and lose.
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“He can help those younger players around the training ground and if he can accept that, he might be used in a slightly different way and have less game time.
“It doesn’t surprise me that he’s still there. If you have someone of his quality, you have to use them and use them in the right system.
"I believe there’s a role for him to play next season at United, he’s a superstar.
“Sometimes we have to forget the players age, it’s the mentality and the desire on the pitch that still counts the most, not the age.”
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After finishing with Ajax last Sunday, Ten Hag began working remotely for Man United, before jetting into London alongside assistant Mitchell van der Gaag yesterday.
The 52-year-old could be in attendance as United take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
Should the Red Devils lose, Ronaldo and Co will be playing in the Europa Conference League next season - if West Ham manage to beat Brighton.
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