“There will be a moment when we say thanks Cristiano, please stay” - Former Man Utd star backs Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Manchester United remains uncertain with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s current deal set to expire at the end of the season.

Head coach Erik ten Hag has dropped the 37-year old to the bench in recent Premier League games but one of his former team-mates believes the club will “always need” him.

Partice Evra, who played with Ronaldo at United between 2006 and 2009, says it was a “big decision” to drop last season’s top scorer but added that the manager’s decision must be respected.

“There will be a moment when we say thanks Cristiano, please stay” - Patrice Evra

Speaking to Betfair, Evra said: “With those big decisions Ten Hag sent massive shockwaves.

“Let’s be clear, to put Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench is a massive statement, because Cristiano Ronaldo will think it’s not fair. Last year he scored like 18 goals, so in his head he will be like ‘why am I on the bench?’

“He’s right, but you have a manager and you have to respect his decision.

“I understand the frustration of Cristiano Ronaldo, but also Ten Hag was like ‘I’m going to start a new era, Ronaldo is still in my plan,’ and I’m sure Cristiano Ronaldo is in his plan.

“Maybe, United need to suffer right now and they will need other players, but you will always need Cristiano Ronaldo, trust me, there will be a moment when we say thanks Cristiano, please stay, I’m convinced about that.

“I think Ten Hag and Ronaldo need to, if they haven’t already, have an honest discussion. Everything that is happening right now is logic.”

Evra also spoke about Harry Maguire who, like Ronaldo, has recently dropped to the bench.

He said: “It must be hard for Harry Maguire. People have been unfair with him, because even now when he plays a good game people will criticise him, even when he’s not playing if we lose people will blame him and this is unfair.

“Right now, they have [Raphael] Varane, [Lisandro] Martinez and the way they are fighting, giving everything, I’m really pleased with what I see. I played centre back in Italy and for Manchester United, height is not a problem.”