However you look at it, even the fiercest critics will acknowledge that Cristiano Ronaldo is still one of the best goal scorers in the world.
He has shown it in the Champions League, leading Manchester United to the round of 16 with stoppage-time wins against Villarreal and Atalanta, extending his record as the competition’s top scorer.
Everything started very well for Ronaldo after his return to Old Trafford
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– But things have gotten worse and worse in recent months.
However, that form has not translated into the Premier League, where things could start to get awkward if United fail to crack the top four.
A summer of heavy investment saw Ronaldo enter for £12.86m, joined by Jadon Sancho for £73m and Raphael Varane for £34m. Premier League and Champions League challenges were expected, but once again the top four appear to be the only target.
Managerial turnover is certainly a distraction, and with Ronaldo now 37 and entering his later years, the next four months of his career could well end up being wasted.
That is without any drastic changes being made to the United side to bring out the best in their returning hero, who, despite rising in years, still deserves the right to be a focal point.
talkSPORT presenter Dean Saunders said Ronaldo was ‘playing with fools’ following a 1-1 draw against Burnley, singling out Fred and Scott McTominay as two of the worst midfielders the Portuguese superstar has ever played alongside.
But despite the lack of quality elsewhere in Ralf Rangnick’s side, it was Ronaldo who faced the problem recently, dropped from the starting eleven for the draw at Turf Moor.
Headlines
West Ham supports Zouma, Rangnick defends Ronaldo, Pep sends a message to Mahrez
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incorrect
Oliver ‘lacked common sense’ and Martinelli’s decision was ‘very bad’, says former referee
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prick
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punish
Zouma’s brother banned by Dagenham and Redbridge for participating in a cat attack
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tell them boy
Aberdeen fan invades the pitch and recreates viral video with Celtic star Joe Hart
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– Rangnick’s handling of Ronaldo has already been questioned
Rangnick explained the decision by saying: “Today is going to take a lot of sprinting, chasing balls, a lot of fighting for second balls.
“This better fits the profile of Edinson Cavani, so it starts today.”
Cavani failed to make the difference against Burnley and gave way to Ronaldo in a draw that saw the Red Devils drop below Arsenal and West Ham in the race for Champions League football.
The result was not only bad for United, but especially for Ronaldo himself, in his longest goalless streak in 12 years, the Portugal captain has failed to find the net in five games.
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– Ronaldo really needs help from his coach to shoot again AFP or licensees – It’s hard to believe that Ronaldo has completely lost the form that saw him score 36 goals for Juve last season. Rangnick, whose footballing philosophy relies heavily on intensity and pressure, was never going to be the right coach for Ronaldo, but the fact is that just a season ago there was nothing wrong with the superstar striker. Ronaldo’s 2020/21 season saw him achieve 36 goals in 44 games for Juventus, overtaking Romelu Lukaku for the Serie A golden boot by scoring 29 times in the league. United need Ronaldo’s goals if they want to turn draws into wins, and may need to look to Ronaldo’s former manager, Andrea Pirlo, for a lesson. Shrinking at 30, Ronaldo needs pace around him to operate at his best, allowing him to spend more time in the opponent’s box. – Ronaldo will pray for pace and playmaking around him. He also needs a lack of selfishness, as Álvaro Morata and Aaron Ramsey assisted Ronaldo four times each in the league last season. United have the players for Ronaldo to start, and they also have the perfect opportunity, facing a Southampton team they beat 9-0 the last time they met at Old Trafford, and Saturday’s meeting at 12.30pm will be live on talkSPORT. – Covid and injuries mean this may be the best team for Ronaldo to shoot again Bet365 – Bet £10 Get £50 Free Bets – CLAIM HERE Minimum deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid out as Bet Credits and are available for use after settlement of qualifying bets. Exclusions of minimum odds, bets and payment methods apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and terms and conditions apply 18+ Begambleaware.org 888sport: Bet €10 Get €30 + €10 Casino Bonus – CLAIM HERE Only new clients. Minimum deposit £10 • A qualifying bet is a ‘real money’ bet of at least £10 • Minimum odds 1/2 (1.5) • Free bets are credited on settlement of the qualifying bet and expire after 7 days • Bets Free bonuses are not included in returns • Casino bonus must be claimed within 7 days • To withdraw bonus/related winnings wager x40 bonus amount within 14 days • Casino bonus expires after 60 days • Withdrawal restrictions and full terms and conditions apply 18+ Begambleaware.org —
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