[El Jefe]

I'll hold off on saying he's finished because this is the sort of performance he had in December to January last season but really picked up form after that.

Its brutal viewing though, he looks physically cooked out there. He's desperate for goals because he can't really off much more than that now and they have to be laid on a plate for him. He messes up the dynamic of the attack just by his presence, there's almost an all roads lead to Ronaldo policy which makes us blunt because he's so easy to mark.

 

[Adisa]

Was crazy last night. He was aglhead of a defender last night and through on goal but you could tell he had no confidence of making it. Trued to dribble the defender amd lost the ball.
What's worse, I knew it would happen.

 

[The Oracle]

The most glaringly obvious thing about Ronaldo's performance last night, was that his legs have gone.

He's 37 and it shows.

A lot of posters are saying that he skipped pre-season, whilst at the same time these posters are omitting the fact that Ronaldo featured in 3 competitive matches for Portugal in June (in the Nations League against Spain, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic).

Ronaldo is well and truly past his best.
His best days are behind him, heck even his decent days may be behind him too.

He isn't going to turn back the clock at 37 years of age.

 

[GreatDane]

Probably not too long ago with those penis injections

Well at least Mrs Ronaldo benefits then.
Maybe he can use his new male enhancement to get ahead of the defenders soon.
No, not get head from the defenders.

 

[Drizzle]

Yeah, anyone who’s played sports into middle age can relate to what they’re seeing. For me, the biggest issue with aging was a loss of balance. Getting knocked over much easier than before, or struggling with sharp changes of direction. All of which you see every time Ronaldo gets on the ball. It’s actually kind of tragic to watch. A brutal reminder of the ageing process

That's exactly right and was my experience. Just getting my feet sorted in split second situations stopped happening, leading to loss of balance and the ball just getting away from me at the key moment or not quite being there to be struck. When everything was predictable then my experience and pattern recognition meant the outcomes were still good, but that was happening less and less.

This is obviously happening to Ronaldo, and it is sad. He will still score goals, experience and muscle memory and luck will see him to at least 10 I reckon, but he's no longer a top striker. And it's going to get worse.

 

[Real Name]

You don’t necessarily adapt, do you. Giggs did it, but started at a far earlier age. Players tend to be of a certain type, and some age better than others. Ronaldo was always powerful and explosive, it’s amazing he’s maintained it this long since players of this type usually drop off rapidly in their early 30’s. Messi has always played a measured and technical game, that’s more suitable to longevity.

True. But then again he could have adapted a little bit, he still thinks he can do it on a big stage it seems although his body is letting him go.

 

[pocco]

The most glaringly obvious thing about Ronaldo's performance last night, was that his legs have gone.

He's 37 and it shows.

A lot of posters are saying that he skipped pre-season, whilst at the same time these posters are omitting the fact that Ronaldo featured in 3 competitive matches for Portugal in June (in the Nations League against Spain, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic).

Ronaldo is well and truly past his best.
His best days are behind him, heck even his decent days may be behind him too.

He isn't going to turn back the clock at 37 years of age.

I think that's been obvious all season. He wasn't physically great last season, but now he's fallen off a cliff. There was a good example against Southampton where he had about 10 yards on a CB and they caught him by the time he got into the box, it was at that moment I knew he was truly finished physically.

 

[MrEleson]

I was at the game and I must admit it didn’t look pretty. Physically he looks like he’s lost a lot even from last season. I hope he bounces back like he usually does but I’m slightly worried this time (other times I was sure he would bounce back).

 

[GlasgowCeltic]

cringe watching him play for pens and FKs because he can’t get shots off anymore

 

[McGrathsipan]

I hope we are squeezing commercial fees for him
Thats about as useful as he is now

 

[Relevated]

Yesterday, for the first time, it was extremely evident to me that the players try to force a pass to him when better options are there.

 

[LawCharltonBest]

Played well yesterday. Maguire offered him no service

 

[Siorac]

He's past, move on, hope we sell him after the WC

I think we would have gladly sold him in the summer but no one wanted him - at least no club where he would have been willing to go.

We're stuck with him until his contract ends unless he lowers his own expectations.

 

[Idxomer]

True. But then again he could have adapted a little bit, he still thinks he can do it on a big stage it seems although his body is letting him go.

He has played more football than other players who are renowned for their longevity and adaptability, even more than the likes of Giggs and Ibra. I'm not a big fan but it's quite incredible he stayed at the top level as long as he did.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

He should have taken that sweet sweet Saudi money.

 

[André Dominguez]

Surprised there isn't yet a website HasRonaldoScoredThisSeason.com

 

[DWelbz19]

Cristiano is 37 years old. Which is why he cannot press the team. But he can still score goals which is very important for this team.

A big part of scoring goals is making/winning the space for yourself; being half a yard faster than the defender. Ronaldo needs an age to shoot. The only type of goals he can score these days are headers or genuine tap-ins.

 

[Borys]

Looks best suited as an impact sub. Starting him not really an option right now based off of his performances.

Only when we can put him in the box and swing cross after cross. He literally is not able to do anything else that turns out to be effective for the team.
He can't play in counter attacking system because he's too slow (even for last 10mins) and he's not good at holding the ball.
At this point I expect him to score 5 goals this season, all from headers.

 

[spiriticon]

He is nearly done at the highest level.

The dropoff in reaction speed, pace and acceleration is quite noticeable now.

 

[GledTheRed]

He was absolutely tragic last night.

Like a knackered old dog trying to get about.

 

[sugar_kane]

I'm hoping that Ten Hag keeping him on for 90 was his way of showing to the world that Ronaldo is done and justifying what comes next (ie, he never starts an important game for us again)

Otherwise, I cannot make sense of it. It was clear within about 30 minutes that he was going to disrupt the entire game plan and we hadn't a hope of scoring with him on the pitch.

 

[Utd heap]

He was absolutely tragic last night.

Like a knackered old dog trying to get about.

I was in an Arsenal pub and the place was pissing themselves at him. Can't blame 'em.

 

[KjaAnd]

He lost his acceleration, pace and dribbling ability years ago. Now, he seems to have lost the most important skill he still had in his locker: his clinical finishing. There was a moment in the second half yesterday when he received a ball deep in the box and instead of just finishing it like he has always done, he tried to control the ball, failing and losing it.

 

[Real Name]

He has played more football than other players who are renowned for their longevity and adaptability, even more than the likes of Giggs and Ibra. I'm not a big fan but it's quite incredible he stayed at the top level as long as he did.

I'm not saying it isnt incredible and he's well known for professionalism and taking care of himself. It's just that if he adapted his play a bit more maybe falling of the cliff wouldn't be so dramatic.

 

[Telsim]

The mind and experience is there, but the body lags behind, even in his peak physical condition for his age. It was sad at times, honestly. He will definitely look miles better than most people later in life, but unfortunately he no longer has the cutting edge that's needed for football, even Europa League level. Compare him to Osimhen the day before. Worlds apart. He should have taken that Saudi money or gone to the USA or China. I suppose he could be useful as a sub, but we have really fecked ourselves this season in the striker position.

 

[Saddy]

I don't want to see that "look at me" lining up a direct free kick and hear the commentator saying "how many times have we seen these go in ......." - that needs to stop now we should not be pandering to his needs.

The best player I've seen in a United shirt after supporting from the mid 70s but he's finished at this level now and it's so sad to see this regression.

 

[city-puma]

Couple weeks ago I was joking about we should start McT as our #9 instead of him. Now it doesn't look like a joke anymore ...

Well, I genuinely think it an option considering what we have.

 

[That_Bloke]

Yeah, anyone who’s played sports into middle age can relate to what they’re seeing. For me, the biggest issue with aging was a loss of balance. Getting knocked over much easier than before, or struggling with sharp changes of direction. All of which you see every time Ronaldo gets on the ball. It’s actually kind of tragic to watch. A brutal reminder of the ageing process

The loss of balance is alongside slower reactions the most frustrating I had to experience and the hardest thing to identify and accept. It has an impact on absolutely everything, from first touch to goal scoring.

You can plainly see that his movements and reading of the game are still very good but his body just not in sync with what he has in mind.

 

[AltiUn]

Despite the goals the signs were there last season.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

The loss of balance is alongside slower reactions the most frustrating I had to experience and the hardest thing to identify and accept.

You can plainly see that his movements and reading of the game are still very good but his body just not insync with what he has in mind.

I used to do a lot of skateboarding in my teens. Stepped on a skateboard over the summer, for the first time in decades. Would not recommend.

 

[Xaviboy]

I'm hoping that Ten Hag keeping him on for 90 was his way of showing to the world that Ronaldo is done and justifying what comes next (ie, he never starts an important game for us again)

Otherwise, I cannot make sense of it. It was clear within about 30 minutes that he was going to disrupt the entire game plan and we hadn't a hope of scoring with him on the pitch.

Agree. He was dropping too deep for a centre forward and not giving us any options upfront.

He won't be seen starting in premier league or the big games.

 

[Bebestation]

Ten Hag needs to learn how to adapt and play to Ronaldo’s strengths.

He can’t play to Ten Hag’s strengths & tactics anymore.

It would be a good ‘plan b’ when his tactics are struggling.

 

[talking robot]

I think he can score more than 10 goals for us this year, even being past it. His touch let him down at times yesterday, but he still looks like he can score to me as he's getting in dangerous spots. Sometimes you feel like if he were just a split second faster mentally, those moments turn into shots on goal.

 

[bosnian_red]

Ten Hag needs to learn how to adapt and play to Ronaldo’s strengths.

He can’t play to Ten Hag’s strengths & tactics anymore.

It would be a good ‘plan b’ when his tactics are struggling.

And what exactly are Ronaldo's strengths at this point in his career? They don't exist anymore. A cross in the box for a header is the only thing he can do at this point, as his feet are way too heavy to get shots off anymore from any dribble anymore. Needs to be a first time shot from being in a good position or a first time header. Anything else he has no chance and will lose the ball.

 

[Stadjer]

Ten Hag needs to learn how to adapt and play to Ronaldo’s strengths.

He can’t play to Ten Hag’s strengths & tactics anymore.

It would be a good ‘plan b’ when his tactics are struggling.

Ten Hag has done that by putting him on the bench most of the time. He can come of the bench as a plan b.

 

[zbcrow15]

If Ronaldo is smart, he will take his talent to the MLS next year and be a god there. All games will sell out to see him and he will be the star again. That's the only place I can see his ego being stroked like he will want it. He could potentially play for 2-3 more season easily there.

 

[Bebestation]

And what exactly are Ronaldo's strengths at this point in his career? They don't exist anymore. A cross in the box for a header is the only thing he can do at this point, as his feet are way too heavy to get shots off anymore from any dribble anymore. Needs to be a first time shot from being in a good position or a first time header. Anything else he has no chance and will lose the ball.

I just feel like we need to learn how to play like Stoke to Peter Crouch to utelise Ronaldo the best he can.

Playing like a fast Barcelona with Peter Crouch just doesn’t work.

Obviously this is not permanently- but during the time where arguably Ronaldo is one of only 2 strikers who are available; we need to learn to use him better.

 

[bosnian_red]

Ten Hag has done that by putting him on the bench most of the time. He can come of the bench as a plan b.

Not even plan b is he. Rashford up top is plan b, Martial plan A. Ronaldo is 3rd choice striker.

 

[mav_9me]

 

[Greck]

What even is our best run of form with Ronaldo starting?