Our general playmaking and carrying the ball from midfield to forwards have been very poor this season. So any world class forward will look isolated in this team unless he drops back into midfield and create some magic. Lets not forget how greenwood looked non-existent in the first half, I mean ronaldo has his own faults but he’s not the only to be blamed.
7
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 38
- Goals
- 24
- Assists
- 3
- Yellow cards
- 9
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) and Imran (@Annihilate Now!) look forward to a new life under Ruben Amorim. What system will we be playing? What players will impress? and how will it all go? We also say goodbye to Ruud Van Nistelrooy and review United's 3-0 win at home against Leicester City.
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There’s a video of him doing the rounds on Twitter v Newcastle and he’s running through about 10 times and our players lost the ball or passed it to the opposition or took too many touches to release him. Rashford being one of the main culprits. Drop Rashford for a hardworking midfielder or forward. Go 4 3 3 and I think we can attack a lot more efficiently.
Say something like
Ronaldo Cavani Sancho
Fred McT VDB
Shaw Mcg Varane Dalot
Say something like
Ronaldo Cavani Sancho
Fred McT VDB
Shaw Mcg Varane Dalot
He’s at that stage of his career where he needs players around him to support and provide him with the opportunities. We don’t have that spark which in turn makes him look a complete dud. Unfortunately it looks like his return will fizzle out to end his career with a whimper rather than the dream comeback.
People seems to focus too much about goals but tbh I don't mind if he doesn't score at all if he can play like he did in the Palace match on a regular basis. Go back a few pages, look for the comments after that match and you'd see most posters praising him, despite he didn't score. But after the Norwich match, he got critized a lot despite scoring the only goal.
Football is never simply about who's on the scoresheet or not.
My problem with Ronaldo is now he fails even the very basics of a footballer. Touch, shield the ball, pass, dribble. It's so frustrating and annoying to watch him failling these on a regular basis. He looks so weak and cumbersome. Most of our attacking movements are killed when the ball reached him. He's not a proper footballer anymore let alone a top one. It's like playing with 10 men with him on the field. You replace him with basically anyone from Mata, Lingard, Martial etc. and I don't think it could be any worse.
Football is never simply about who's on the scoresheet or not.
My problem with Ronaldo is now he fails even the very basics of a footballer. Touch, shield the ball, pass, dribble. It's so frustrating and annoying to watch him failling these on a regular basis. He looks so weak and cumbersome. Most of our attacking movements are killed when the ball reached him. He's not a proper footballer anymore let alone a top one. It's like playing with 10 men with him on the field. You replace him with basically anyone from Mata, Lingard, Martial etc. and I don't think it could be any worse.
Ronaldo hasn't suddenly changed in to a player that needed support-
He was a player that always needed support.
First - if he was always a good striker, why didn't he play as a striker earlier on in his career? Because he ultimately lacks things like hold up play, interlinking passing, central dribbling etc. The sole reason he became a striker is because he had a great finishing ability and aerial ability and had to utelise that as his pace and dribbling died down.
If he could have done that all by himself then the need for Benzema as a central striker holding up and making passes wouldn't be needed. Rooney was the same, a player that supported Ronaldo.
So why do I bring this up?
If Ronaldo needed the support of a CF/SS when he was at his prime as a LW -
Why do people think that he doesn't need one when playing centrally as a central striker now past his peak?
Ronaldo as a Striker is not a Benzema or Rooney capable of setting up Rashford or Greenwood, whilst Rashford and Greenwood are not a Benzema or Rooney capable of holding up and making passes in to Ronaldo.
Ronaldo needs a support more than a creativity- a support we were not really fussed about having because Greenwood, Rashford, Bruno, Martial, the potential signing of Sancho were playing more direct with dribbles and getting in behind the defenders - not having chances created in to a pure central striker that has no hold up play or interlinking passing.
The guy is an absolute legend but he has caused us problem we didn't have before - creating a whole new level of team or support purely for the way Ronaldo plays, a way that our forwards were not playing before.
He was a player that always needed support.
First - if he was always a good striker, why didn't he play as a striker earlier on in his career? Because he ultimately lacks things like hold up play, interlinking passing, central dribbling etc. The sole reason he became a striker is because he had a great finishing ability and aerial ability and had to utelise that as his pace and dribbling died down.
If he could have done that all by himself then the need for Benzema as a central striker holding up and making passes wouldn't be needed. Rooney was the same, a player that supported Ronaldo.
So why do I bring this up?
If Ronaldo needed the support of a CF/SS when he was at his prime as a LW -
Why do people think that he doesn't need one when playing centrally as a central striker now past his peak?
Ronaldo as a Striker is not a Benzema or Rooney capable of setting up Rashford or Greenwood, whilst Rashford and Greenwood are not a Benzema or Rooney capable of holding up and making passes in to Ronaldo.
Ronaldo needs a support more than a creativity- a support we were not really fussed about having because Greenwood, Rashford, Bruno, Martial, the potential signing of Sancho were playing more direct with dribbles and getting in behind the defenders - not having chances created in to a pure central striker that has no hold up play or interlinking passing.
The guy is an absolute legend but he has caused us problem we didn't have before - creating a whole new level of team or support purely for the way Ronaldo plays, a way that our forwards were not playing before.
You really need to add context to stats rather than just throwing out some numbers as if they automatically mean something.
Yeah, we might go on to be a well drilled side towards the end of the season. But I seem to remember that we have a really tough set of fixtures toward the end of the season. That may as well play a part for top 4.
Ronaldo needs to be managed a bit more. He shouldn’t be starting every game, and should be used efficiently. I think Zidane did this years ago when he was at Madrid too. What is more concerning for me is the form of our other players, who seem to have lost interest in football.
Other teams are looking good, and we seem to be struggling to adapt to the new system. I’m not going to keep too much hope for top 4 at this point. Again, if we sign a player or two in the transfer window, there are no excuses.
I'm not really into stats. Yes, they can give false readings and context is key. However, watching the games in which Cavani has played I do think the team seems to perform better.
Obviously my heart over ruled my brain when he came back and I was so happy. I am still pleased he came Back to be fair as he has already given some great moments to cheer and kept us in the champs league. It’s been great to chant Ronaldo’s name one more time.
However, he shouldn’t play any premier league games IMO, the premier league is now the best in the world and has become much more competitive since he originally left. It’s not possible anymore to carry anyone and his pace/stamina have gone, he can’t contribute properly.
What a shame we didn’t go for him when he left Real Madrid to join Juventus. We would of had a better version of him and his comeback would have been more special. At this rate, he might not finish that contract with us, could just go to the MLS.
However, he shouldn’t play any premier league games IMO, the premier league is now the best in the world and has become much more competitive since he originally left. It’s not possible anymore to carry anyone and his pace/stamina have gone, he can’t contribute properly.
What a shame we didn’t go for him when he left Real Madrid to join Juventus. We would of had a better version of him and his comeback would have been more special. At this rate, he might not finish that contract with us, could just go to the MLS.
And that's a significant issue. At the very least, he should be expected to be average at doing the basics. If he can't do that, it becomes a problem and makes things difficult for the team.
Unless he begins to raise his overall play, I can't see the team reversing the regression it has experienced since he joined.
Cavani has always been more of a Rooney-type forward which surprisingly few United fans were aware of even at the start of the season. Considering the likes of Rashford, Greenwood and Martial are more about scoring than creating or pressing smartly, then yes it's no surprise they play better with Cavani.
What grates me though, is that none of them seem willing to adapt or sacrifice their game. Especially in Greenwood I see this reluctance. But he isn't tearing it up like Ronnie was when he joined us and he does need to learn that side of the game anyway.
It's not an opinion I'd completely disagree with and I do really like Cavani, it is a small sample size this season though. He's only started against Everton and Spurs (where he started alongside Ronaldo). His sub appearances have been when either chasing a game or pushing for the win, where it's reasonable to expect a team to press more.
Has this video been posted?
Yes agreed that's a significant issue. It's very simple, you can't control the game or play any good football with 10 men against 11 men. Football is a team sport after all.
I used to watch football with a couple of closed friends but I had to stop recently. Because anytime Ronaldo fecked up those basic things they'd have a big laugh. And they laughed a lot. Tbh if I don't support United I would too. They told me if we keep starting Ronaldo we should say goodbye to the top 4 and good football. And I don't think they're wrong.
And idiots claim he's a problem. Seriously folks, watch this - he's literally doing everything you'd want your striker to do in terms of getting into space for the chance.
Ronaldo is the problem, both on and off the pitch. You must be blind not to see that.
We need to kill the dream about Ronaldo. Prime Ronaldo ended at least five years ago. He is very good at moving, shootng and heading when facing the goal inside the box. But, that is just not enough to lead from the front - his stats are crazy bad except for the goals. In the 19/20 season Rashford, Martial and Greenwood had some 50 goals between them — I rather have that. Maybe we should just call him Oldnowdo. It would feel easyer to bench him.
There is no way 4222 and pressing from the front can work with Ronaldo leading the line.
Just for the record. I was very happy when we signed him. But, I see what I see. We just cant build our play around him. It just dosent work, and has whole lot of negative trickle-down effect on the whole team.
I also think he will be much more effective comming of the bench for the last 30 min if we controll the game.
Bruno is our star man, and needs his throne back if we want to get to +70 points and Champions League.
We need to kill the dream about Ronaldo. Prime Ronaldo ended at least five years ago. He is very good at moving, shootng and heading when facing the goal inside the box. But, that is just not enough to lead from the front - his stats are crazy bad except for the goals. In the 19/20 season Rashford, Martial and Greenwood had some 50 goals between them — I rather have that. Maybe we should just call him Oldnowdo. It would feel easyer to bench him.
There is no way 4222 and pressing from the front can work with Ronaldo leading the line.
Just for the record. I was very happy when we signed him. But, I see what I see. We just cant build our play around him. It just dosent work, and has whole lot of negative trickle-down effect on the whole team.
I also think he will be much more effective comming of the bench for the last 30 min if we controll the game.
Bruno is our star man, and needs his throne back if we want to get to +70 points and Champions League.
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Ronaldo was one of the best players in the world and when we brought him back this season, I expected the likes of Greenwood, Sancho, and Rashford, to up their game.
Instead they have gone backwards along with a few others. Is this coincidental or is it to do with Ronaldo.
I see now that these young players are afraid to try things in case of a mistake, and both Ronaldo and Bruno throwing their hands up in the air. Yes Greenwood was on fire before he came here, Cavani was scoring important goals too. Did we really need him coming back. Would not a DM been more beneficial to us.
Ole was afraid to drop Ronnie and eventually got the sack, I hope that RR does the right thing as we need the whole team playing together and if there is someone, (no matter who) upsetting the play, then they should be dropped.
If RR adds a few players of his own to this team and drops a few of those who are not performing, it is only then that we will see an improvement.
Ronaldo and Bruno need to put their arms around these young players and encourage them instead of blasting them.
Instead they have gone backwards along with a few others. Is this coincidental or is it to do with Ronaldo.
I see now that these young players are afraid to try things in case of a mistake, and both Ronaldo and Bruno throwing their hands up in the air. Yes Greenwood was on fire before he came here, Cavani was scoring important goals too. Did we really need him coming back. Would not a DM been more beneficial to us.
Ole was afraid to drop Ronnie and eventually got the sack, I hope that RR does the right thing as we need the whole team playing together and if there is someone, (no matter who) upsetting the play, then they should be dropped.
If RR adds a few players of his own to this team and drops a few of those who are not performing, it is only then that we will see an improvement.
Ronaldo and Bruno need to put their arms around these young players and encourage them instead of blasting them.
This is painful to watch. Apparently it's CR7's fault though that none of the idiots besides and behind him can pass a fecking football.
Not sure if you’ve noticed but Bruno has been worse than Ronaldo all season.
If anybody needs to up their game right now and start showing up in games it’s Bruno.
Must be a WUM
Agreed, he doesnt escape criticism but this shows how bad most of our players are. Midtable players should be able to make these passes, we are going absolutely nowhere if our players can't see or/and make these passes. These are some great runs.
that is actually horrendous. Running into the channels and almost all of the passes are sloppy or not made at all …
I agree the whole team is shambles.
While I agree he is making the runs...this is the job of the centre forward and over analysis of every attempted run in behind is just stretching for evidence that somehow he is above criticism. If we analysed how many times Vardy or Wilson or Lukaku made those half gestures over the course of a game the you would see similar results. If forwards were found every time they made these runs we would either have multiple hat tricks from strikers every game or we would have strikers missing chances at amazing rates...neither is happening. On a average those through balls or balls over the top are successful a couple of times a game...what’s different here is the petulance Ronaldo directs towards the team and showing his disgust at not being found. That makes these into “incidents”. Our passing is awful, he is doing his bit off the ball, nothing more. It’s his job. If not, would we expect him to just stand there and wait for tap ins?. he has a right to be frustrated at times...but he also has to accept that as a leader in the team, he has to keep his frustrations under wraps. It helps nobody. He made plenty of errors himself yesterday and if everyone starts pointing fingers so publicly we will well and truly fall apart. Keep that shit in the dressing room
No. Please tell me how Ronaldo is working out for us?
Mate, how are any of our players working out for us?
It’s a simple minded approach. Nothing will convince them until we beat a team convincingly. It’s understandable.Mate, how are any of our players working out for us?
I was starting to buy into the idea that he was being a whiny spoilt git but seeing this video changed that. I would be seething if I was him. Think of the quality passers he has played with in the past.
It’s the Fred one that got me to shout at the screen. Such a good angle for the pass and he was completely away from the defender.
Agree about the theatrics. But sometimes we are not talking about Hollywood passes, the simple ones also did not work out.
Maybe he really gave our stars a proper bollocking which is why they may even not try to find passes to him?
How does Cavani always end up with so many chances? Cavani could have had a hat trick in 2nd half, and he was playing with the same players.
That video shows 5 forward runs where an extremely difficult to execute pass might have put him through on goal. 5 runs in 90 minutes. That’s one every 18 minutes!
“literally everything you’d want your striker to do”
That’s the key right there. Since his arrival the whole team suffersMate, how are any of our players working out for us?
Can someone add the benny Hill theme to this. Would be epic
Pin this to the top of every page.
Ronaldo done what was is expected of a striker. It’s up to others to supply him the good.
Hopefully Ralf shows this to our so called footballers, the ones who can’t string a pass together.
Making runs isn't the only thing a striker has to do, it's actually the bare minimum.
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