Upgrade
7
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 38
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- 24
- Assists
- 3
- Yellow cards
- 9
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran hold a long overdue conversation about United's awful league form with 1 win in 7. They discuss a disappointing draw at Bournemouth, a not so disappointing draw against Liverpool and a crushing defeat at Chelsea - Is time nearly over for Erik Ten Hag?
Then in a special second half of the pod, Nik welcomes Natalie ( https://twitter.com/natalie_17) to discuss the fortunes of Manchester United Women as they booked a place in the FA Cup Final after a historic first ever win vs. Chelsea.
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Everything that doesn’t go his team’s way in any given game becomes automatically his fault regardless of what actually happens on the pitch.
He was crippling Madrid and Juve too… then he left and they became worse. Bruno was shit today because of Bruno, Ronaldo was our only player that did something in attack.
Any decent coach would love to have both Bruno and Ronaldo in the team, they’re being coached by two clueless managers tactically in Ole and Santos.
He was crippling Madrid and Juve too… then he left and they became worse. Bruno was shit today because of Bruno, Ronaldo was our only player that did something in attack.
Any decent coach would love to have both Bruno and Ronaldo in the team, they’re being coached by two clueless managers tactically in Ole and Santos.
Upgrade meaning replaced old version with something new and better right?! If with older version or something expired soon we called it downgrade.
Ronaldos a better player and more impactful. Bruno’s still playing and if his role has to change slightly then that is what it is.
Watching Portugal last night reminded of watching Utd. They were a group of players thrown out on the pitch to not lose. After that there was seemingly no plan.
Ronaldo aside there was no attacking threat from the wings or full backs. Dalot and Semedo are shite. Danilo was lost at CB. Duffy, Egan and Coleman controlled Ronaldo well, but he had no help and very little service and he still almost manages to score a couple. Without him I think Portugal would seriously struggle to score goals.
Bruno did what Bruno does, drift around everwhere and then get frustrated as he couldn't get into the game. Probably because he just runs around too much rather than picking up decent positions he seems to want to chase the ball everywhere.
Definitely think that they could work together better, Ronaldo is not the one that is the problem though. Bruno needs to stop playing as a second striker or thinking he can chase the ball everywhere and link back more with the midfield. I genuinely think someone should sit him down and make him watch videos of Rui Costa and how he played. Little bit more cleverness and composure like that in his game and he'd remove a lot of the frustration and become a more effective team player.
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To mean upgrade, the whole system must functioning well and better after the "upgrade" to support the whole operation, but I don't see this happen so I won't call it upgrade.
What I can see is the whole system collapsed with this "upgrade" result tell all.
It wasn't improve the whole system at all. Individually yes, he scored.
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It was similar in the first game against Ireland too. Ireland aren't a great side, but Portugal were only leading Ireland for about 30 seconds over the two games. Same in the Euros too. A very talented Portugal side, one of their most talented in history arguably, they lose to Germany, draw with France, then lose tepidly to Belgium in the last 16. Ronaldo front and centre of that team.
You could argue that, but it's like buying an iPhone 13 when you've an iPhone 12, while your house is falling apart. Priorities and that was not one of them.
Portugal is always losing to Germany, i think they only beated that rubbish german side of 2004, the rest are defeats.
Also, im not sure if this is one of the best Portugal sides, Bruno,Dalot, and Felix hasn't done shit for Portugal yet, unproved at international level.
Their 2000,2004, and 2006 sides are better(despite losing the final against Greece), this current Portugal can't dominate matches unless it's a against very rubbish side like Luxembourg or Latvia.
Ireland aren't a great side, but they were organized and determined where as Portugal were all over the place, very much like how Utd are at the minute.
Portugal also had a fairly shit team out, they've put all their hopes on not losing to Serbia on Sunday. Ronaldo probably shouldn't have played. Dalot and Semedo are two of the worst full backs I've ever seen play international football. Danilo at CB was a mess, Pepe was good and they fell apart at the back once he got the second yellow. The midfield of Palhinha & Nunes was non existent, Bruno was everywhere but where he should have been, the two guys up front with Ronaldo did shag all. He had a couple of great chances, a couple were excellently blocked and one header just past the post. He was the only player they had that posed any threat at all.
I remember when Portugal had the likes of Nuno Gomes, Pauleta and Postiga up front and it was always said they needed a really good striker to really compete for trophies. Now they have the all time leading scorer in international football and all of suddenly people think it's his fault they can't win games?? Imagine being labelled a problem for your team after you've scored 115 goals in 183 games.
Cristiano joined us when he was 16 years old - Avram Glazer
Their central midfield pairing was worse than Manchester United’s. Coutinho and that tall DM with the ‘tache would have been miles better.
Or if he was smart enough to put a clause in his contract about getting top 4...
If we don't get CL football he is 100% gone. If for nothing else it means Ole is definitely gone by that point and we'll look at a year out of the CL as a time to rebuild, not squeeze another season out of an unhappy Ronaldo.
What's the common thing in all of this? The manager. Portugal has a similar calibre of manager that Ole is. Same as us, they can win most of their games due to the sheer quality of players, but often times that simply is not enough. They won the Euros, but it was mostly through vibes and Cristiano Ronaldo magic, not some great play on their part.
Bruno does what Bruno does because there is no visionary manager to reign him in. Can you imagine him doing this stuff under Guardiola? He'd either fall in line or be shown the door, no matter how good he is. Ole either doesn't have the spine or understanding of the game to do something like this, probably both.
Yes it’s Ronaldos fault that the players have lost belief in the manager.
Ronaldo is a better player. That’s just a fact. In terms of Bruno was our best player and now he isn’t…..that’s because Ronaldo is a better player and has had a brilliant impact on our results so far….god knows where we’d be without him. Out of the CL for sure.
Cancelo, Dias, Fernandes, Ronaldo, Jota and Bernardo Silva are among the best players in the strongest league in the world. Then there’s the likes of Renato Sanches, Félix, Guerreiro, Danilo, Palinha, Pereira, Neves etc are highly rated. And they’ve a wealth of good players coming through. A very talented side. Semedo and Dalot are shite I agree but they’re not first choice.
Pogba fans are so bitter about Bruno taking the limelight
yes, Ronaldo is obviously one of the best ever.No wonder they never speak
I didn't say Ronaldo is not better player, he is, individually, he is.
What I wanted to say is, is this ''upgrade'' bring the team to next level? nope, as the result suggested, this team is declining, level down compare to last season, so I won't call it upgrade as you do.
From where you know the players disbelief the manager make the team declining? And why if Man Unted do not play Ronaldo would out of CL for sure?
Football is 11 vs 11 game. You need 11 players play at the same tactics, belief and teamwork. A better player wasn't necessary an upgrade, Pogba, Sanchez, Veron... all were better players than players they replaced, but all weren't turn right, because they simply couldn't ''upgrading'' the whole system.
It is different like the PES2022 or FIFA2022 that you played, buy in top class players, or legend, set your formation to 4-3-3, and you will get the best out of them, individually and as a team.
Many things have to consider before bringing the new player, apart from his ability they way the play, also need to consider his life style, character and personality do they match the team or the league? Yes bringing Ronaldo does bring in some positive, but at the same time, it bring in some problem too, especially to the manager and the team. Imaging you have one old striker who wanted 90 minutes football only, it is above everyone including the manger and the captain, showing his displeasure in the public, kicking opponent recklessly when he didn't score... all those won't bring any good to the team and dressing room. I won't surprise young strikers wanted to leave, or do not want to join Man United by this 90 minutes ego.
So, in conclusion, at this moment, bringing in Ronaldo, I won't call it as an ''upgrade''. This system integration wasn't right, it slow down everything in fact.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/16715177/ireland-fan-cristiano-ronaldo-shirt/
https://www.thesun.co.uk/uncategori...whelan-superfan-masterplan-secret-day-school/
"I was screaming his name as I ran towards him and he heard so he turned around. He said 'leave her, leave her' (to the stewards behind her).
"So then I was just calling him over to me and he came over and asked if I was ok.
"I was in tears as I was so in shock and screaming 'can I have your jersey please, I'm a huge, huge fan.'
"When my Dad saw him take his jersey off, his face was just in total shock! Ronaldo even said 'I appreciate that' when I asked.
"I was like Oh my God, this is my dream coming true on what's probably his last time playing in Ireland."
Classy from Ronny so glad the GOAT plays for us. That's what a captain and role model does! Take note Maguire..
Also class from the FAI for not fining her dad with a £3k pitch invasion fine. Would've been ridiculous.
Feck Covid and Covid restrictions in moments like that. Inspiring the next generation.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/uncategori...whelan-superfan-masterplan-secret-day-school/
"I was screaming his name as I ran towards him and he heard so he turned around. He said 'leave her, leave her' (to the stewards behind her).
"So then I was just calling him over to me and he came over and asked if I was ok.
"I was in tears as I was so in shock and screaming 'can I have your jersey please, I'm a huge, huge fan.'
"When my Dad saw him take his jersey off, his face was just in total shock! Ronaldo even said 'I appreciate that' when I asked.
"I was like Oh my God, this is my dream coming true on what's probably his last time playing in Ireland."
Classy from Ronny so glad the GOAT plays for us. That's what a captain and role model does! Take note Maguire..
Also class from the FAI for not fining her dad with a £3k pitch invasion fine. Would've been ridiculous.
Feck Covid and Covid restrictions in moments like that. Inspiring the next generation.
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Gonna go to Benfica's stadium today to watch him play for Portugal 
hoping he has a baller of a game so he can come back to us with good confidence and momentum!
hoping he has a baller of a game so he can come back to us with good confidence and momentum!“That’s what a captain and role model does!!!!”
That’s what every normal person on the planet would do...you’re right I’d say Harry Maguire would have passed her on to his agent and who would have given her 5% off membership to Harry’s Heros- the Harry Maguire summer camp experience!I feel like I’m taking crazy pills with the adoration this guy is getting for even the most normal behaviour...she is a tiny little girl getting chased by stewards...could you imagine if he told her to get off the pitch or turned his back on her...He did what 99.9% of players would do...Did anyone see Hourihane holding back the steward that was trying to catch her? Let’s have a Conor Hourihane is classy thread!
I like Ronaldo...I thought I liked him a lot...but not compared to some of the people on this site who seem to marvel at his every breath. I must be losing it. Just gonna stay out of Ronaldo threads.
finally puts to bed all the so called “top red” arguments that our owners know nothing about us or our history.
People exaggerate with Ronaldo a lot and in the smallest things, both for positives and negatives.“That’s what a captain and role model does!!!!”
I feel like I’m taking crazy pills with the adoration this guy is getting for even the most normal behaviour...she is a tiny little girl getting chased by stewards...could you imagine if he told her to get off the pitch or turned his back on her...He did what 99.9% of players would do...Did anyone see Hourihane holding back the steward that was trying to catch her? Let’s have a Conor Hourihane is classy thread!
I like Ronaldo...I thought I liked him a lot...but not compared to some of the people on this site who seem to marvel at his every breath. I must be losing it. Just gonna stay out of Ronaldo threads.
I'm as big a fan as so many others, but I just tend to be level headed discussing him, but I'm certainly the minority.
He gets scrutinised way too much - like whenever he's pissed off for losing a game. Suddenly everyone is giving opinions on what it means, oh my god what does this mean, and I'm like he's just pissed off he lost, there's nothing to analyse here. But people extrapolate the most miniscule stuff with him, it bothers me too a lot of times.
Jesus save those poor souls getting a motivational speech from Avrem Glazer...
Feel sad for him, being coached by two incompetent buffoons
We have great players and we play with small team mentality. Feels bad for the dude, he kept pushing the team and trying to get them to score a 2nd goal, but when the coach would rather defend a 2nd minute goal for 88 minutes there's nothing that can be done.
I have never seen Ronaldo looking like that at the final whistle, physically knackered and deflated mentally.
Playing 90 minutes against Ireland three days ago was probably a mistake. He started well but completely faded in the second half.
Another team Ronaldo plays for playing below expectations.
Rest him vs Watford, man will be 37 years old in few months, can't play all the time.
Can't blame him at all
Santos set them up like a pussy even though his team outgunned them in every sense of the word
Edit: sorry for the long one guys.
This was one rare occasion where I could go and watch him live so that also means I didn't get to see his post match shenanigans, but I'm not surprised he was deflated mentally. Not even the strongest people on earth are made out of ice, they all break down at some point when everyone around them just thinks differently.
I mean, this was one of those games where his mentality did not align with whoever was in charge - Mr Santos in this case.
He spent all game trying to get the team forward, saw him arguing with Santos 2 or 3 times about the strategy. I'm personally frustrated because at no point should a player ever get the strategic basics better than a coach. Portugal have better individuals than Serbia, hence when they go up 1-0 in the 2nd minute, they should take advantage of more space to proactively seek a 2nd goal and defeat Serbia psychologically. When Serbia goes 1-1, and after 2nd half starts, Portugal should proactively seek the lead again. Ronaldo kept trying to push his teammates all game, wanted more, did not take anything for granted, and would rather secure the result than play luck.
And his coach didn't see things that way. And for me, we are superior individually than Serbia, so we should play like a big team. Germany never slows downs until at the very least 2-0. We score in the 2nd minute and immediately it's all about defending and securing the result.
For a guy who is all about winning, to have the team set up to play like minnows all game, like if we were playing against Italy or Spain or whatever, after you're up, after you are tied, no wonder he's looking dragged down post match.
Do you guys like Santos? I mean you've got your only national cup (2 if you count uefa nations) with him in charge but other then that he seems very underwhelming (and cowardly)
I personally try to be a positive and thankful and complimenting person, I think the world needs more of that. Whatever he did it worked, luck was needed too, but whatever he did we got 2 trophies when we had none, one remains to be seen how big or small ends up being with time, I'm thankful to him and he's a great person. I'm never gonna call a coach that has success a bad one, he was great back then, but isn't great now. Things deviate from fundamental value over long periods of time.
He's static, and plays the same way he played 6 or 8 years ago with Greece. Has near zero adaptability, and no courage like you mentioned. He can't play like a big dawg. That's what we got... I'd take Mourinho right now as National coach.
Fair enough especially considering the heart break you guys had in 2004
I wish you guys the best as you seem to have lovely team
On a side note mou should do rather well in a national team where the tactics are much more hospitable to his style and he won't spend enough time with the players to have a meltdown
Some posters all from 2021
Juventus out vs Porto 2021 CL
Portugal loss Vs Serbia 2021
Start of season unbeaten run ends vs Villa 2021
United's 5-0 loss Vs Liverpool
I value his goals, always have and always will but I'm not sure at the age of 37 you build your team to play to get the best out of Ronaldo. Needs to be rotated more, Start fewer games and get used to coming off the bench - near impossible when you are viewed to many (including me) as the GOAT.
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We need him fresh against Villarreal and the CL is his competition so rest him for that. Cavani’s quality should be fine against Watford
I think he's also personally still pissed about the dodgey no goal in the other Serbia game. Knowing you scored in the other game and it wasn't given and then to lose to a last minute goal must have been properly shit.
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