Signing Cristiano Ronaldo may turn out to have been an unavoidable mistake for Manchester United.

United didn’t need Ronaldo in the summer. They needed a defensive midfielder.

However, when reports broke that Ronaldo was on his way to Manchester City, the Red Devils had to intervene.

Of course, signing one of the greatest players to have ever played the game brings its advantage.

We’ve already witnessed that with six goals in nine appearances - including late winners against Villarreal and Atalanta in the Champions League.

However, there’s also been an argument that he doesn’t help this United side.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side currently sit ninth in the Premier League and there is an enormous amount of pressure on the Norwegian’s job right now.

And Ronaldo isn’t exactly bringing the very best out of his teammates, right now.

Can you answer these 12 questions about Cristiano Ronaldo's first spell at Manchester United?

That’s according to one former United player, anyway.

Paul Parker believes that Ronaldo’s Portuguese teammate, Bruno Fernandes, has been particularly impacted by his arrival.

Fernandes missed a 93rd-minute penalty against Aston Villa during a 1-0 defeat with everyone talking about him taking the spot-kick over Ronaldo.

And Parker thinks Bruno has been ‘manipulated’ by his compatriot.

“The main player for me is [Bruno] Fernandes. I think he’s been manipulated by [Cristiano] Ronaldo’s return and I think that’s affected him," Parker told Betfred.

“He’s allowed himself to be mentally bullied out of doing all the good things he was doing before. He shirked responsibility in the Leicester [City] game when he would have took [sic] it on himself normally but he decided to take the pass to Ronaldo.

“He’s not grabbing hold of games as he did before. He’s not making opportunities anymore and you have to look at him and think to yourself ‘why is that?’

“And there’s only one reason: it’s because he feels he’s got to deliver to Ronaldo and I think there are a few other players like that as well. But he sticks out because he’s been instrumental in all that United have achieved up until this season.”

Fernandes has scored four times and registered six assists in 13 appearances this season but has struggled for form in recent weeks.

He’ll be looking to be back to his very best as United face a trip to Tottenham on Saturday evening in what is a crucial match in the club’s season.

Solskjaer GOING! Manchester United's NEXT Debate! Man United News (The Football Terrace)