The lack of movement and pressure on Manchester United’s midfield have been talked about for a while now, but what is the biggest flaw in the Portuguese star’s game? Here are a few things to consider. Let’s start with the most obvious one – his finishing ability. After all, he is a top player and has the ability to score goals. But is that the case?
Cristiano Ronaldo’s lack of movement
A recent study has revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo’s lack of movement has left Manchester United vulnerable against top-scorers. The Portugal international had been the top scorer in both games against Newcastle United and Manchester City, but failed to make an impact in attacking play. Despite receiving the captaincy of the team, Ronaldo failed to press opponents and left gaps for opposition players to exploit. This lack of movement has a number of consequences, including poor finishing and the resulting turnover of possession.
Juventus were not in the same financial predicament as Barcelona, but the commitment made to Ronaldo was still too much to bear. The club had little choice but to let the swank forward leave, as few teams were able to afford his huge salary. On Sunday, he took to Instagram to dismiss rumors of a transfer. However, he did not seem concerned, and posted a message on his account stating that he would not be starting the match.
While it is true that the former Real Madrid star has not been in the form of his life in recent months, it is still worth noting that the Portuguese international was included in the launch of the new Manchester United kit. Last season, he scored 24 goals in 37 appearances at club level, with 18 goals in 30 Premier League games. Man United finished sixth in the Premier League and are heading to Europa League football.
Despite his recent form and performance, Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly unhappy at Manchester United’s transfer policy. The club has failed to sign any new players since the transfer window opened. Meanwhile, Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea have all signed new players. The lack of movement has left Ronaldo feeling frustrated and uncertain about his future at the club. It’s difficult to tell if Ronaldo will stay with United for another season, but he has reportedly been in talks with several clubs.
Manchester United have been struggling to strengthen their squad over the summer. Meanwhile, rivals Liverpool and Manchester City have brought in world-class talent to their squad. With just six weeks to go until the start of the new season, Ronaldo is worried that the previous season will repeat itself. He is anxious to meet new faces at Old Trafford and is also considering his future at United. After all, the club won’t want to waste his final season chasing European football.
Manchester United have a solution to the problem. A forward with good pressing and movement could replace Cristiano Ronaldo, who lacks it. Manchester United have two excellent forwards in Jadon Sancho and Edinson Cavani. But if they lose this vital player, then their chances of lifting the Champions League and the Premier League are in danger. If they don’t change their approach to play, they will never win.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s lack of pressure on United’s midfield
Despite the plethora of attacking talent on display, Ronaldo’s absence is a concern. Manchester United’s midfield has been in disarray for months now and Jose Mourinho will have to find a solution to the problem. While dropping Cavani may seem like an easy way out, the Uruguayan tends to over press and leaves huge gaps in the midfield. Changing personnel will require tactical changes.
In order for United to win against Leicester, they must find a way to compensate for Cristiano’s absence in the midfield. Leicester are a stout side and could exploit this weakness with ease. But Ronaldo doesn’t apply enough pressure to make this possible. As a result, the midfield must step up and cover more ground to keep the ball.
The Portuguese star was undoubtedly the most impressive player in the Champions League this season, but his lack of pressure on the midfield is a cause for concern. United were second in the table before Ronaldo joined, and despite their lack of attacking options, they were unable to make a comeback in the end. It was not until the international break that cracks began to show, and Ronaldo’s absence may force the club to rebuild their squad.
Manchester United have suffered several embarrassing defeats in recent months, but this one was the most embarrassing. In a penalty shootout, Manchester United lost in the fifth round and Ronaldo was the target of criticism. His 10 shots did not result in a goal. Manchester United’s midfield also looked shaky. Neither David De Gea nor the rest of the team were able to get the job done.
If the Portuguese star were a top-class pressure striker, his lack of defensive effort would be a major problem for United. He has a record of scoring goals but never needed to exert as much pressure as he does in the Premier League. Manchester United’s midfield is no longer able to cope with this void, and the lack of pressure is a major weakness for United.
If Ronaldo were to leave Manchester United, they would lose their top-flight status. This would make United’s midfield prone to pressure and open up space for their attacking players. However, with the right defensive tactics, United could end up with a Champions League spot. There are a number of options open to the Red Devils. They can either keep Ronaldo or sell him for a hefty fee.
In the Premier League, Man Utd have been a better defensive side before Ronaldo arrived. Their pressing game was better pre-Ronaldo, but their defensive structure has been all over the place. However, they are not perfect at this. They still had a plan to beat Manchester City in March, and the late penalty from Bruno Fernandes was crucial in setting it up. The plan is to close down the central areas of the pitch and suffocate any attacking midfielder.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s lack of finishing chances
When it comes to finding the back of the net, Cristiano Ronaldo is a master. But his 18 league goals for Manchester United were the lowest since his final season at Old Trafford in 2008-09. Previously, he scored at least 21 league goals in 12 consecutive seasons at Real Madrid and Juventus. His goal ratio has never been below one goal per 180 minutes since the 2005-06 season. That’s a worrying stat, considering that his output has steadily increased in recent years.
Many observers were quick to praise Ronaldo’s speed and pacing in open spaces. The long limbs of the Portuguese striker aided his one-on-one skills. But he struggled to finish his chances. While he scored 48 league goals last season, he was rarely able to finish in the final third. Throughout his career, he was largely used in the wide areas. Ultimately, the player needs space and time to find himself before he can take a shot.
Manchester United have scored in three of their last nine league games, while Ronaldo has not scored in his last five matches across all competitions. Then there’s the game against Southampton this weekend. United were thrashed 9-0 by Southampton at Old Trafford last time, and Rangnick has dismissed reports that his players are unhappy with the training regime. Some fans have even compared the Portuguese striker’s assistant Chris Armas to fictional American coach Ted Lasso.
The numbers don’t lie. In 2015-16, Ronaldo scored 40 goals, more than any other striker in the world. However, he scored only two goals from inside the penalty box and only one of six other types of goals. In addition to his poor finishing opportunities, he also had a lack of finishing chances this season. In addition to these statistics, the Portuguese forward has missed three headers in as many games.
If this lack of finishing opportunities continues to plague him in the coming seasons, it is time for him to consider a move to a club outside of Europe. A potential option is to go to Inter Miami, which is owned by David Beckham. A move to Inter Miami would be a coup for the Portuguese star. If that happens, he could be playing in the Europa League or the Europa Conference League.
While it’s true that Ronaldo’s return to the Manchester United first team was a triumph, warning signs were evident. Even in that emphatic win over Newcastle, United had been showing signs of cracks. It had been hoped that United would last until December before the cracks began to show. Instead, they cracked after a week of international breaks. And that was precisely when Ronaldo’s lack of finishing opportunities became a big problem.
