A troublesome couple of weeks for Manchester United
Cr7
Cristiano Ronaldo re-signed for Man United after signing a two-year contract in August 2021. Ronaldo scored 24 goals in all competitions for Man United throughout the 2021/2022 season. Ronaldo was the only player that had a successful season which resulted in Man United finishing way off the pace in 2021/2022 Premier League. Ronaldo has set ridiculous records as a striker with scoring 20 goals for 12 consecutive seasons in a row. Man United went out of the 2021/2022 UEFA Champions League after losing their last 16 game to Athletic Madrid but wouldn’t made to the knockout stages without Ronaldo’s goals.
Ten Hag
Erik Ten Hag started his reign at Old Trafford in the Summer of 2022. Straight away he had a headache with Ronaldo missing Man United’s Summer pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia. For the majority of the Summer it looked like that Man United were looking to sell the greatest goal scorer in the modern era due to Ronaldo wanting to play in the Champions League. Cr7 didn’t get his move and was involved in Man United’s game against Leicester City on Transfer Deadline Day.
Since then
Ten Hag has answered multiple questions in press conferences both before and after matches about Ronaldo’s involvement. It has been a constant sideshow even when Man United beat Arsenal 3-1 in September 2022 and the reaction was about Ronaldo not starting rather than focusing on an outstanding performance from the home side. Ronaldo can’t accept that he is on the decline and stats show that Man United’s performances are better without him playing on the counter attack with Marcus Rashford and new signing Anthony. My opinion is that Ronaldo is the greatest goal scorer of all time but he doesn’t have the sharpness anymore with getting on with age.
Attitude
His reaction to not starting at the Etihad Stadium for the Manchester derby wasn’t great by having his hands over his head as he was watching Erling Haaland score a hat-trick from the bench. My opinion at the time that this was the right decision as Man United’s best way of scoring a goal against Man City is on the break. Ronaldo came back into the limelight a week later as he scored his 700th club goal against Everton. Ronaldo started for Man United in their home game against Newcastle and would of scored only for a bad offside decision by VAR. Man United were outstanding in beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at Old Trafford but yet again Ten Hag had to reflect on Ronaldo as he stormed out of the stadium before the final whistle.
Punishment
Ronaldo was left out of Man United’s squad for their visit to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea just three days after the Spurs game. If Ronaldo was available for this game, my opinion is that he still wouldn’t of started due to catching Chelsea on the counter attack. A great debate between ex Man United players Gary Neville and Roy Keane on Sky Sports after the Chelsea game at Stamford Bridge regarding Ronaldo and would recommend for you to watch it. Ronaldo was given another chance when coming on against West Ham but was a frustrated figure in front of goal.
Final straw
Man United signed off with alate win against Fulham at Craven Cottage before the break for 2022 World Cup. The world of sport blew up just 24 hours after Man United’s win against Fulham due to Ronaldo’s extraordinary interview with Piers Morgan. My opinion is that you go on a show like that with something up your sleave and you don’t just go onto Piers Morgan for the sake of it. Ronaldo said that Man United betrayed him and was sidelined since Ten Hag took over at Old Trafford. A sad ending to Ronaldo’s time in the Premier League as his reputation is sabotage due to been selfish.
The Glazers
Man United finally terminated Ronaldo’s contract this week but still has to be remembered for his unbelievable standards and ridiculous goalscoring records. Man United fans have been protesting numerous of times before home games at Old Trafford about The Glazers ownership of the club which included a pitch invasion before facing Liverpool in May 2021. Football has moved to another level and it is time for The Glazers to sell Man United. Man United will survive without Ronaldo but will need to buy a striker in January.
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