MalaysianRed7
Full Member
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2021
- Messages
- 798
I wanted my first thread to be of a good topic when I signed up to the Caf, and I think this is it. Just reading articles and watching Sky pundits constantly blame Ronaldo for our failures has truly irritated me as it has many other United fans. I’d say the annoyance plateaued when Carragher said Ronaldo wouldn’t get in a team over Firmino and Mason (as much as I love him) on MNF.
For me, yes, there’s no doubt that Ronaldo doesn’t press. 2.7 pressures per 90 or something isn’t a good look on him. However, his pressing numbers have always been very low, and he is still scoring goals at a good rate, around 0.8 per 90 since his return. I think he is still one of the best players in the world at 36, so it’s down to the manager to get the best out of him. He is simply not a lone striker and never has been. He has scored 35+ goals per season for the last decade and more playing off a focal point who does the running for him, be it Rooney, Higuain, Benzema or Morata. We literally have the perfect man for the role now in Cavani, whose work ethic at 34 is admirable. That cross field sprint against Villarreal was probably the most inspirational moment of our season!
After you get the tactical bit that has helped him be so potent year after year out of the way, it’s simply down to getting players to create chances for him. With Pogba, Bruno and Shaw all part of our strongest 11, we should have no problem doing that, whether by playing through balls which the former two specialise in or exploiting his generational heading ability with Shaw’s crossing.
No matter what though, dropping one of the greatest players of all time and still one of the best now would be an absolutely awful decision. He is guaranteed goals, and has already proven so this season, particularly in the CL.
For me, yes, there’s no doubt that Ronaldo doesn’t press. 2.7 pressures per 90 or something isn’t a good look on him. However, his pressing numbers have always been very low, and he is still scoring goals at a good rate, around 0.8 per 90 since his return. I think he is still one of the best players in the world at 36, so it’s down to the manager to get the best out of him. He is simply not a lone striker and never has been. He has scored 35+ goals per season for the last decade and more playing off a focal point who does the running for him, be it Rooney, Higuain, Benzema or Morata. We literally have the perfect man for the role now in Cavani, whose work ethic at 34 is admirable. That cross field sprint against Villarreal was probably the most inspirational moment of our season!
After you get the tactical bit that has helped him be so potent year after year out of the way, it’s simply down to getting players to create chances for him. With Pogba, Bruno and Shaw all part of our strongest 11, we should have no problem doing that, whether by playing through balls which the former two specialise in or exploiting his generational heading ability with Shaw’s crossing.
No matter what though, dropping one of the greatest players of all time and still one of the best now would be an absolutely awful decision. He is guaranteed goals, and has already proven so this season, particularly in the CL.
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