Former Man United boss reveals Kieran McKenna story about Cristiano Ronaldo

Ole Gunnar Solskjær has revealed a story about Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna and legendary striker Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of the Blues' game against Manchester United at Portman Road.

McKenna worked under Solskjær following José Mourinho's departure, with the Red Devils pushing hard to bring Ronaldo back to the club amid reported interest from Manchester City in the summer of 2021. However, the Northern Irishman was apparently against the signing.

Speaking to Norwegian outlet NRK, Solskjær revealed that McKenna analysed the Portuguese striker's final six matches at Juventus after being told about the interest. He argued that the club should look elsewhere and try to strengthen in other areas of the pitch.

SIGN-UP! Get all our Town content for the rest of 2024 for just £2 - or 30% off a year!

In the end, Ronaldo did return to the red half of Manchester, 12 years on from his departure to Real Madrid, scoring 19 goals in 40 Premier League goals. However, Solskjær has since admitted that was a mistake to bring him back.

The Norwegian was sacked just three months later in November 2021, and Erik ten Hag agreed to terminate Ronaldo's contract just before the 2022 World Cup.

Solskjær claimed that McKenna asked: "How are we going to defend ourselves?" before the move was finalised, adding that "It was probably a wrong choice for all of us. But we felt it was the right decision then and there."

Ipswich will face Man United in their first match after the international break, which will be Ruben Amorim's maiden fixture in charge of the Red Devils following the sacking of Ten Hag.

It will be McKenna's first clash against his former employers, having been linked with a return to Old Trafford over the summer.