This pressing thing has never been an issue throughout his 20 year career and his previous teams have found ways to compensate and make it work and still maximise results on the pitch. Don’t see why that can’t happen here.
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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Because he didn't press much, but he still did occasionally, rather than not at all. He pressed twice as much at Juventus - still low - and I imagine at Real Madrid, he was still bottom half for pressing but still way more than he does today. I can't find the statistics (would be interested to see them) but I highly doubt at any stage at Real Madrid was he anywhere near as low at 2.7 per game.
He hardly pressed in Real Madrid as well but we were a good team (particularly the midfield) that could cover for him, and we also had a better manager. I mean Morata was the one doing that type of thing, pressing and being annoying, it wasn't anything crazy but compared to Ronaldo and Benzema he was the Makelele of forwards for us.
But more than an issue about Ronaldo I see it as an issue with the recruitment. Cavani needs to play as CF and I don't know if it's due to his age he can't start every game but if that's the case then the team needs to get someone of a similar profile than can start all games and balance the forward line. I think someone like Raul Jimenez is the type of forward a lot of people want here but I wouldn't expect him, or Cavani, to score at the same rate or be as decisive as Ronaldo.
Cavani can play. Ole is just stubborn with the idea of either picking Ronaldo or Cavani and sticking to a 4-2-3-1. Same reason why he keeps persisting with McFred.He hardly pressed in Real Madrid as well but we were a good team (particularly the midfield) that could cover for him, and we also had a better manager. I mean Morata was the one doing that type of thing, pressing and being annoying, it wasn't anything crazy but compared to Ronaldo and Benzema he was the Makelele of forwards for us.
But more than an issue about Ronaldo I see it as an issue with the recruitment. Cavani needs to play as CF and I don't know if it's due to his age he can't start every game but if that's the case then the team needs to get someone of a similar profile than can start all games and balance the forward line. I think someone like Raul Jimenez is the type of forward a lot of people want here but I wouldn't expect him, or Cavani, to score at the same rate or be as decisive as Ronaldo.
Ok that's really bad then, as you don't have other player that can do what does playing as CF. Another alternative would be Ronaldo starting as CF but switching places during the game with the other forwards so he can still play way or drop back a little but that might not be as easy as it sounds depending on how fluid the attack is and it also requires some tactical intelligence or better coaching.
Did anyone notice the ref high fiving him after the goal? Just saw an "all the angles" video and it can be seen riiiight before the cutaway at 2:00 here.
Class interview.
Interviewer: For instance when you came off at Everton with a draw you were muttering to yourself, you were clearly unhappy and that is immediately scrutinised
Cristiano: No problem
Interviewer: What were you saying to yourself that day?
Cristiano: I don’t like to lose
Interviewer: Draw
Cristiano: Draw? For me, it’s a loss. A draw against Everton at home with all my respect to Everton for me is a loss
His mentality is something else.
Just an amazing mentality. Yes, Ronaldo isn’t as good as he used to be, but he’s still doing great for his age and if I were a young player, having the chance to play with one of the greatest players in football history (besides Messi), I’d try to learn as much as I can - it would be a privilege. But unfortunately, nowadays, a lot of young players are just wimps/pussy’s, being pampered by the club, agents.. lacking the winning mentality.
Ole could learn a thing or two. While Ronaldo was fuming after the match, Ole was smiling. This is the difference between a winner's mentality and a loser's mentality. I hoped some of Fergie might have rubbed off on him throughout the years, but no.
He must be thrilled to work with Ole who doesn't miss a chance to remind the fans and the squad that we are not ready to challenge.
I said it and I repeat it, Cristiano will be the final nail for Ole. He's not going to settle with average results.
Funny how the things our players say and what our manager says are completely opposed to each other.
Winner !! . Look that's how a winner look like. That's how our team was 10 years back. That's why we won lot of trophies.
Now what we have is a bunch of pussies ,moaners and mercenaries aided by a manager who always thinks our squad isn't good enough .
Now what we have is a bunch of pussies ,moaners and mercenaries aided by a manager who always thinks our squad isn't good enough .
You don't buy and expect Ronaldo to press and track back nobody thought Ronaldo would press and track back when we signed him everyone knew he wouldn't but accepted it because Ronaldo wins you games so why are people shocked about Ronaldo pressing and tracking back? It's agenda driven and type of thing that gets overblown/knit picked on because the team isn't winning nobody would mention it if we was top of the league it's trying to find something broken where there isn't something broken. Sick of the criticism Ronny is getting when he's doing his job scoring crucial goals.. it's the rest of the team and Ole letting him down!
Why is nobody having a go at Greenwood and Rashford who are half Ronaldo's age for not tracking back and pressing the opposition!? maybe because they are English not foreign and get a free pass because they are academy players so Manchester United fans and media are biased? And they are playing as the wingers where tracking back is crucial! Just makes my blood boil that type of hypocrisy/favouritism as it's unfair standards for one player and not others just because of their passport birth right.
Ronaldo never tracked back or pressed even when he was 10-15 years younger. But Fergie recognised that and played players to compensate (Fletcher types for example). That's what a good manager does to get the best out of Ronaldo as he's so good in winning games taking that 1 chance and occupying 2-3 of the opposition players constantly (Maguire's goal against Atalanta happened because the defenders was drawn to Ronaldo).
Like Gary Neville said, you should surround Ronaldo with "trojans" workhorses like Lingard, Sancho and maybe even Donny. As Ronaldo HAS to play. Talk of dropping Ronny is the equivalent of shooting yourself in the foot. You play the best team that will get the best out of Ronaldo.
I just think the criticism of Ronaldo is ridiculous and out of order. He's saved United so many times this season already!
United have much better players than Liverpool. Look at the quality of players United can bring off the bench Liverpool don't have that quality in depth. But Liverpool surround players like Salah with workhouse types like Henderson, Milner, Jota etc who are not the biggest names on paper but make the team a better more cohesive unit. You can't play all the best players you have to play the best team. And Ronaldo is the first name on the team sheet so build the team around him.
Play Sancho in his best position on the right instead of lazy selfish Greenwood because Sancho can put great crosses for Ronaldo which he needs service. That's a better more cohesive team! Bring Greenwood off the bench as an impact sub. Same with Lingard/Donny should play instead of Pogba and we will start to go on a winning run. Simple as that.
United fans are partly to blame too as they want all the attacking players to start, instead of looking at what is the best team with Ronaldo. As dropping Ronaldo is not an option (I see people mention it in the match day thread and laugh) firstly because he's too good and secondly he's on 500k half a million a week he isn't going to be sitting on the bench regularly under ANY manager he will either start regularly or leave as simple as that (plus he won't be selling many shirts sitting on the bench!). So the question needs to be what team gets the best out of Ronaldo and hides his weaknesses best?
Why is nobody having a go at Greenwood and Rashford who are half Ronaldo's age for not tracking back and pressing the opposition!? maybe because they are English not foreign and get a free pass because they are academy players so Manchester United fans and media are biased? And they are playing as the wingers where tracking back is crucial! Just makes my blood boil that type of hypocrisy/favouritism as it's unfair standards for one player and not others just because of their passport birth right.
Ronaldo never tracked back or pressed even when he was 10-15 years younger. But Fergie recognised that and played players to compensate (Fletcher types for example). That's what a good manager does to get the best out of Ronaldo as he's so good in winning games taking that 1 chance and occupying 2-3 of the opposition players constantly (Maguire's goal against Atalanta happened because the defenders was drawn to Ronaldo).
Like Gary Neville said, you should surround Ronaldo with "trojans" workhorses like Lingard, Sancho and maybe even Donny. As Ronaldo HAS to play. Talk of dropping Ronny is the equivalent of shooting yourself in the foot. You play the best team that will get the best out of Ronaldo.
I just think the criticism of Ronaldo is ridiculous and out of order. He's saved United so many times this season already!
United have much better players than Liverpool. Look at the quality of players United can bring off the bench Liverpool don't have that quality in depth. But Liverpool surround players like Salah with workhouse types like Henderson, Milner, Jota etc who are not the biggest names on paper but make the team a better more cohesive unit. You can't play all the best players you have to play the best team. And Ronaldo is the first name on the team sheet so build the team around him.
Play Sancho in his best position on the right instead of lazy selfish Greenwood because Sancho can put great crosses for Ronaldo which he needs service. That's a better more cohesive team! Bring Greenwood off the bench as an impact sub. Same with Lingard/Donny should play instead of Pogba and we will start to go on a winning run. Simple as that.
United fans are partly to blame too as they want all the attacking players to start, instead of looking at what is the best team with Ronaldo. As dropping Ronaldo is not an option (I see people mention it in the match day thread and laugh) firstly because he's too good and secondly he's on 500k half a million a week he isn't going to be sitting on the bench regularly under ANY manager he will either start regularly or leave as simple as that (plus he won't be selling many shirts sitting on the bench!). So the question needs to be what team gets the best out of Ronaldo and hides his weaknesses best?
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I'm just reading the Liverpool Match Day thread and it's making my blood boil seeing so-called United fans believing the media narrative and calling for Ronaldo to be dropped in a perfect game he was made and purchased for. Because he 'doesn't press' apparently like in some alternative universe that we was an amazing pressing team before Ronaldo.. laughable really. Yes Cavani presses better but we was told you need to press as a team so it'll just be Cavani doing it on his own maybe with Bruno ?!! Yeah some difference that would make it would actually hurt us more and leave more spaces.
I actually hope Ole does drop Ronaldo for the Liverpool game or Ronaldo is out for a few weeks. Just to prove to those so-called United fans who are buying the media narrative Ronaldo is the problem and making us a worse team to see they are wrong serves them right. Let's see if Cavani and Greenwood could score the same type of goals and late winners.
shock: the media don't want United to be successful so if they say Ronaldo is the problem they are wrong and terrified he will eventually turn United into a successful side winning trophies. The media like United losing as it generates more hits and profits for them. So they will of course create problems within United and sadly some people are sheep.
Cavani has gone from underrated to overrated. Look at the header sitter chance he missed vs Everton when Ole last decided to drop Ronaldo. Ronaldo would've buried that for sure. That's the difference.
I actually hope Ole does drop Ronaldo for the Liverpool game or Ronaldo is out for a few weeks. Just to prove to those so-called United fans who are buying the media narrative Ronaldo is the problem and making us a worse team to see they are wrong serves them right. Let's see if Cavani and Greenwood could score the same type of goals and late winners.
shock: the media don't want United to be successful so if they say Ronaldo is the problem they are wrong and terrified he will eventually turn United into a successful side winning trophies. The media like United losing as it generates more hits and profits for them. So they will of course create problems within United and sadly some people are sheep.
Cavani has gone from underrated to overrated. Look at the header sitter chance he missed vs Everton when Ole last decided to drop Ronaldo. Ronaldo would've buried that for sure. That's the difference.
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With Ronaldo nothing is logical including bringing him back in the first place but he's here now so we might as well make the best/most of it. But it's a bit like The Rolling Stones. It doesn't matter how old they get they'll always be the Rolling Stones, and produce the same aura/magic people wanting to watch them play. Same with Ronny even if he was 44 years old I'd still want him to start against Liverpool. He writes his own scripts. We won't see the likes again so enjoy it while you can as the Last Dance is upon us
Ronaldo will never lose that ability to score goals. He could still score heading goals in his 40s simply because his movement is so superior and he's such an intelligent experienced footballer. Like Gary Lineker said Ronaldo is the best header of a football he's ever seen in football history. And Van Dijk won't stop him if the delivery is right.
in the words of Van Gaal.. WE GO FOR IT!
Ronaldo will never lose that ability to score goals. He could still score heading goals in his 40s simply because his movement is so superior and he's such an intelligent experienced footballer. Like Gary Lineker said Ronaldo is the best header of a football he's ever seen in football history. And Van Dijk won't stop him if the delivery is right.
in the words of Van Gaal.. WE GO FOR IT!
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Are you part of Ronaldo's PR team?
Who is this team of mercenaries and pussies you talk about? Bruno is on the same wavelength as Ronaldo, Rashford isn't far behind. Even people like Lindelof and AWB give their all when playing. So who are they? I know you're going to say Pogba, but who else?
Yes some players are just so good that they will keep scoring even if they are in their 40s.
You can see his goals in 20/21 with Juventus. He didn't have to push or shove any players like Zlatan to score. He scored those goals cleanly.
You can see his goals in 20/21 with Juventus. He didn't have to push or shove any players like Zlatan to score. He scored those goals cleanly.
Did anyone see his interview with Steve? It says a lot. We don't have that mentality at United anymore. He said a lot about young players. I don't know who he was referring to but could be Greenwood?
Bag a hat trick and SSSIIUUUUU the feck out of them scousers Ronnie!!!
Can't be Greenwood when he is performing well. Probably Martial.
Man Utd 0:5 Liverpool
Absolutely he's done with this shit. His reactions throughout the game tell the whole story. He has been here for less than 2 months and he already looks fed up with us.
Made a big mistake coming here. Imagine wanting to play under Ole... the guy whose sole accomplishment in football as a manager is getting Cardiff relegated.
People can do all the mental gymnastics they want - you are CLEARLY a worse team with Ronaldo than without him. I theorise this will be the case for the rest of the season even if Ole was sacked today. Which he should be.
Apart from the disallowed goal his best move was kicking Liverpool player on the ground. I liked that.
Apart from that he was shite, his first touch let him down so many times today.
Apart from that he was shite, his first touch let him down so many times today.
Nonsense.
Age, his play for the disallowed goal was a glimpse of the earlier Ronaldo. Just stiffer in his movements now, his touch has never really been an issue in his game until the last couple of years.
He should act and go to Woodward and ask him to sack Ole or will ask to leave. Will be impossible to resist him as he has a magnificent power and huge name. If he gets Ole out and Zidane in, I'll forgive any shit performance he'll ever have for us.
this is a very accurate statement.
still a phenomenal goal scorer, but every other part of his game is so limited these days.
Can’t hold the ball up, can’t press.
he make ever played around him look worse.
it’s gonna be a big problem all season.
Didn't we laugh at Juventus when they blamed him?
That kick was embarassing, lucky to not get a red. If it's the other way around this place would throw soooo many abuse to the opponent who did that. He's 37 he should have all the experience in the world to not lose his head like that
I hate that now our gameplan is just long ball and cross after cross after cross with him in the team, in some games I'd rather have Greenwood/Cavani as a striker
I hate that now our gameplan is just long ball and cross after cross after cross with him in the team, in some games I'd rather have Greenwood/Cavani as a striker
Is Zidane a great coach or did he have one of the best squad ever assembled?
Not sure Zidane is the right choice, but if it is him or Ole...
I'll literally take a RedCafe member as a manager now.
It's just so obvious to see.
Bruno being our main man had a better balance. Now our main attacking plan is to get the best out of a 36 year old forward who was never the most amazing central striker either.
The thing is that Ole signing him probably highlights just what a lack of tactics he has - does a manager who use team pressing use a 36 year old striker like that upfront every game? I don't think so?
Do you use two inverted forwards who are your goalscorers and then use a Forward like Ronaldo centrally who historically needed a striking partner in his career when playing out wide or in the middle just because he can head a goal? Who is going to cross ? Shaw? Bruno? What happens to the inverted forwards etc.
The team was more balanced before but ultimately I think the fact that Ole salivates about buying a 36 year old version of Ronaldo and using him every match shows his tactical deficiency.
I don't think Klopp would utelise him for example to start every game- and yet people also talk about him as he is one of the best players in the world. I think he is good but I do see alot of mistakes, poor touches, poor shots - things he never did before too.
Don't see how he can survive the weekend.
The structure of this team has been downright embarrassing this season. The results he could survive(maybe) but it is the manner of the losses, how amateurish it has looked, that is untenable.
It's the Juventus situation all over only that Ronaldo is almost 37.
Shouldn't be anywhere near the starting lineup
nor should Rashford or Greenwood for that matter
Which leaves us a bit fecked.
nor should Rashford or Greenwood for that matter
Which leaves us a bit fecked.
I thought he played well first half, did some good link up, passes came out ok, kept the plays going, kept tempo. Disallowed goal for offside in 2nd half, which wouldn't change the outcome of the match.
Another 4 days of bashing the dude here. It's not his fault he got hired. If the team is unbalanced, ditch him, or adapt somehow.
All I know is the first half every shot was off target, except the Ronaldo shot near the end and Greenwood's. Despite being offside, he actually put a ball in the net.
I was afraid this comeback would taint his legacy because you guys are so harsh. It's been 2 months and at this point, no matter how many times the dude performs and dugs you out of the rabbit hole, he's clearly the main issue for you guys, and that will never ever change. I'm seeing things way differently than you guys, but I respect your views.
Another 4 days of bashing the dude here. It's not his fault he got hired. If the team is unbalanced, ditch him, or adapt somehow.
All I know is the first half every shot was off target, except the Ronaldo shot near the end and Greenwood's. Despite being offside, he actually put a ball in the net.
I was afraid this comeback would taint his legacy because you guys are so harsh. It's been 2 months and at this point, no matter how many times the dude performs and dugs you out of the rabbit hole, he's clearly the main issue for you guys, and that will never ever change. I'm seeing things way differently than you guys, but I respect your views.
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