[phelans shorts]

Why ?

He’s at his best with space to run into, which Madrid are a lot more likely to give, than an Unai Emery managed Aston Villa side who drop deep

 

[Strelok]

He brought him on to be part of a front 2 where we essentially went 424 but with a floating forward which was Martial/Rashford.

You didn't watch the game?

Martial was no striker he's not even in the box. He was moving around like Bruno in a bad match. A bit here and there sometime even at the LB position but basically never in the box. We're not playing with a 424. Rashford was moved back to LW with Elanga as the RW. It's still the same 4231 he only replaced VDB with Martial.

I've seen you defending ETH and his decisions to the death in the ETH thread. You seem to be a big fan of his. Me too same here so we can agree to disagree then.

 

[bosnian_red]

It's honestly mind boggling that people think that Ten Hag is playing Ronaldo because he lost whatever battle. That's fecking laughable to say. We have 3 injuries from 3 of our main 4 attackers. Rashford is the other main attacker. But no, the guy who was only playing in europe league games is now suddenly being forced to play because of some behind the scenes bullshit rather than the simple explanation of every player ahead of him was out.

 

[FrankFoot]

His legacy has taken a massive hit this season

Tbh nobody will care about this season when he is retired.

Nobody cares now about Zidane, R9, Maradona, Ronaldinho, Henry, Figo, Raul, etc last seasons when they were washed up.

 

[Strelok]

A lot more space in behind the defence of big teams than vs smaller teams who sit deep. Rashford has never suited being a #9 against "smaller" clubs. Only works against big clubs.

Rashford was the #9 against Spurs. Spurs was no smaller club sure. But there was not much space behind either since we pinned them down in their own half for most of the 90'.

 

[bosnian_red]

You didn't watch the game?

Martial was no striker he's not even in the box. He was moving around like Bruno in a bad match. A bit here and there sometime even at the LB position but basically never in the box. We're not playing with a 424. Rashford was moved back to LW with Elanga as the RW.

I've seen you defending ETH and his decisions to the death in the ETH thread. You seem to be a big fan of his. Me too same here so we can agree to disagree then.

He was floating as an attacker. It's the same as where he put Rashford midweek. And Martial was in the box on a few occasions, like when Elanga found him but his touch was heavy. But yeah he was floating out to the left as well. Either way, we were chasing 2 goals. Ronaldo wasn't going to come off for Fred or McTominay in that situation just to get Martial as the 9.

And yeah I think Ten Hag is a top manager. Doesn't mean he won't get things wrong now and then, but it's about "seeing the logic" rather then clinging on to some conspiracy theories. Ten Hag has shown that he doesn't like Ronaldo as a player. But we were down 2 goals, and teams tend to launch a lot more high balls when that happens... so even at this point in his career, that's the one thing he can do half well still. Was it the right call? Who knows, probably wouldn't have changed anything either way given we were 2 down. I just think it was a case of player absences and that it was a very tough game to navigate through all things considered (absences, away to Villa with new manager bounce, Emery being a very good defensive manager, them being clinical right away, etc).

 

[bosnian_red]

Rashford was the #9 against Spurs. Spurs was no smaller club sure. But there was not much space behind either since we pinned them down in their own half for most of the 90'.

Yeah but we had Sancho and Antony as the wingers then, not Garnacho and Elanga. Rashford would still start ahead of Ronaldo centrally if the wingers were fit. Martial is our main #9 anyway if everyone is fit. But none of them were fit.

 

[Strelok]

He was floating as an attacker. It's the same as where he put Rashford midweek. And Martial was in the box on a few occasions, like when Elanga found him but his touch was heavy. But yeah he was floating out to the left as well. Either way, we were chasing 2 goals. Ronaldo wasn't going to come off for Fred or McTominay in that situation just to get Martial as the 9.

And yeah I think Ten Hag is a top manager. Doesn't mean he won't get things wrong now and then, but it's about "seeing the logic" rather then clinging on to some conspiracy theories. Ten Hag has shown that he doesn't like Ronaldo as a player. But we were down 2 goals, and teams tend to launch a lot more high balls when that happens... so even at this point in his career, that's the one thing he can do half well still. Was it the right call? Who knows, probably wouldn't have changed anything either way given we were 2 down. I just think it was a case of player absences and that it was a very tough game to navigate through all things considered (absences, away to Villa with new manager bounce, Emery being a very good defensive manager, them being clinical right away, etc).

Yeah but we had Sancho and Antony as the wingers then, not Garnacho and Elanga. Rashford would still start ahead of Ronaldo centrally if the wingers were fit. Martial is our main #9 anyway if everyone is fit. But none of them were fit.

Again we can agree to disagree then.

I'm a big fan of ETH too but tbh if he keeps starting Ronaldo and playing him for full 90' he won't last long here I'm afraid. And I want ETH to last long here.

 

[TheGame]

 

[city-puma]

Again we can agree to disagree then.

I'm a big fan of ETH too but tbh if he keeps starting Ronaldo and playing him for full 90' he won't last long here I'm afraid. And I want ETH to last long here.

Same worry from me as well.

 

[Luka Mora]

It's honestly mind boggling that people think that Ten Hag is playing Ronaldo because he lost whatever battle. That's fecking laughable to say. We have 3 injuries from 3 of our main 4 attackers. Rashford is the other main attacker. But no, the guy who was only playing in europe league games is now suddenly being forced to play because of some behind the scenes bullshit rather than the simple explanation of every player ahead of him was out.

Whats the reasoning behind giving Ronaldo the captaincy if he didn't lose the battle? He could have given it to martinez, De Gea, Eriksen or even rashford, all players who are far more professional and display leadership qualities. Ronaldo was lucky not to be sent off because of how frustrated he got because he couldn't score, that's how much of a poor decision it was to start him and give him the captaincy.

 

[Lentwood]

I don't understand why we went back to Ronaldo? We were doing fine without him and we looked a threat. With him starting, we drew a blank against Newcastle and have managed single goals against West Ham, Sociedad and the spawny one today.

If you take away the goals, there's really nothing else. At least get a presence in the side, someone like Elanga who win run and press and fight

 

[Stadjer]

Erik ten Hag wont keep starting him if Martial, Sancho and Antony are all fit and able to play. Today it was picking between Elanga and Ronaldo... cant blame him for picking Ronaldo in that situation and sticking Rashford on the right wing. When ETH had the option to play a different player he did play a different player. Injuries made his options very limited so Ronaldo had to play. If Martial had been fit than Martial would have started. If Sancho or Antony had been fit than Rashford would have started as CF and Antony or Sancho on the right wing.

Ten Hag doesnt have a crush on Ronaldo, he just didnt have many other options today.

 

[#07]

I'm not sure I know what kind of player Ronaldo is anymore, I'm not sure he does either. He seems to be doing this thing where he plays off of what he feels like doing. Its just not working for anyone. He's played #9 enough, for club and country, that he shouldn't be doing some of the things he's doing. Its difficult to explain. Literally plays his own game and it doesn't seem to benefit anyone around him.

 

[Irwin99]

Any chance he leaves in January? terminate the contract and a free to Sporting?

Problem is getting another player to replace him. People on here don't seem to realise that he's playing because there's literally no one else other than shifting Elanga to the wings and Rashford in the centre.

 

[Andycoleno9]

Eth's comments about Ronaldo scare me the most. "Important player, quality, etc...:.
Diva is staying isn't he?

 

[Strelok]

I'm not sure I know what kind of player Ronaldo is anymore, I'm not sure he does either. He seems to be doing this thing where he plays off of what he feels like doing. Its just not working for anyone. He's played #9 enough, for club and country, that he shouldn't be doing some of the things he's doing. Its difficult to explain. Literally plays his own game and it doesn't seem to benefit anyone around him.

He's a finished player that's all.

On a more serious thought imo this is because he's been trying to play as a proper #9 which he has never ever done before in his career. That's probably the only way to explain his weird movements, bad decisions and bad timing in everything. Or he's just too old and finished now.

 

[Djemba-Djemba]

Any chance he leaves in January? terminate the contract and a free to Sporting?

Problem is getting another player to replace him. People on here don't seem to realise that he's playing because there's literally no one else other than shifting Elanga to the wings and Rashford in the centre.

Do that then.

I'm at the point where even if we get nobody in I still want us to get rid of Ronaldo. Our performances against Newcastle Spurs and Chelsea without him on the pitch are fecking night and day to our performances vs Newcastle, West Ham and Villa with him.

 

[Frank Grimes]

Why do we not play as well when he starts. He's the best player in the world.

I don't understand why we went back to Ronaldo? We were doing fine without him and we looked a threat. With him starting, we drew a blank against Newcastle and have managed single goals against West Ham, Sociedad and the spawny one today.

If you take away the goals, there's really nothing else. At least get a presence in the side, someone like Elanga who win run and press and fight

What goals?

 

[Idxomer]

Any chance he leaves in January? terminate the contract and a free to Sporting?

Problem is getting another player to replace him. People on here don't seem to realise that he's playing because there's literally no one else other than shifting Elanga to the wings and Rashford in the centre.

Isn't that how we started winning games again after Brentford?

 

[Santoryo]

So will people now believe my suspicions about Ten Hag changing his approach toward Ronaldo's handling since his episode?

I said it was very naive to believe the whole drama didn't affect Ten Hag approach with Ronaldo's playing time, he's clearly trading water.

I said I'd wait to see some players return from injury and confirm my suspicions and seems like I was right. Ten Hag would rather shuffle people around than sit Ronaldo. 4th game in a row he's started and finished the game despite being terrible. Yikes.

 

[Gordon S]

We look blunt regardless of what players we have up front, but feck me, seeing our players (and manager) constantly try to make Ronnie happy is killing me.
Seeing him fall to the ground 10 times every game and cry for free kick or penalty almost every time is also killing me.

 

[bosnian_red]

Whats the reasoning behind giving Ronaldo the captaincy if he didn't lose the battle? He could have given it to martinez, De Gea, Eriksen or even rashford, all players who are far more professional and display leadership qualities. Ronaldo was lucky not to be sent off because of how frustrated he got because he couldn't score, that's how much of a poor decision it was to start him and give him the captaincy.

Oh the captaincy thing I disagree with but we don't know how the 3rd captain was before hand anyway. I don't think Ten Hag's made any captaincy decisions to date, so maybe it was just always Ronaldo in the pecking order and he never changed it. I disagree, but either way, I don't think that had anything to do with anything else.

Let's be real, there isn't a chance that Ronaldo is suddenly higher up in the pecking order. It was just a case of players being injured, nothing more. Don't make it more than it is.

 

[dal]

He is still so so good.

 

[Vidyoyo]

Erik ten Hag wont keep starting him if Martial, Sancho and Antony are all fit and able to play. Today it was picking between Elanga and Ronaldo... cant blame him for picking Ronaldo in that situation and sticking Rashford on the right wing. When ETH had the option to play a different player he did play a different player. Injuries made his options very limited so Ronaldo had to play. If Martial had been fit than Martial would have started. If Sancho or Antony had been fit than Rashford would have started as CF and Antony or Sancho on the right wing.

Ten Hag doesnt have a crush on Ronaldo, he just didnt have many other options today.

Sensible post

 

[Santoryo]

You think it would be better than this. Elanga is nowhere near good enough to be so sure his inclusion makes any difference.

Elanga is a pretty shit footballer by all means but Rashford at CF being okay and Elanga being shit on the RW is better than Ronaldo being shit as CF and Rashford being shit on the RW.

 

[Strelok]

He is still so so good.

Good in what ?? Making us worse and look like shit?

 

[NewGlory]

If he has to start it's one thing, why is he still allowed to take FKs on the edge of the box ? How can that be justified ? Cause it's an automatic wasted opportunity

There is, indeed, no justification for Ronaldo taking FKs. He hasn't scored anything from a FK in years. It's absolutely ridiculous.

 

[Luka Mora]

Oh the captaincy thing I disagree with but we don't know how the 3rd captain was before hand anyway. I don't think Ten Hag's made any captaincy decisions to date, so maybe it was just always Ronaldo in the pecking order and he never changed it. I disagree, but either way, I don't think that had anything to do with anything else.

Let's be real, there isn't a chance that Ronaldo is suddenly higher up in the pecking order. It was just a case of players being injured, nothing more. Don't make it more than it is.

Ronaldo has never captained Juve or Real Madrid and don't remember him being a captain for us since he returned. On the other Eriksen been a regular captain for his country, worked with ten hag before. Martinez has been captain for argentina and worked under ten hag so knows his system. De Gea most prem league appearances as a United player who has captained us before is also a more credible deputy captain

The last candidate for captaincy would be Ronaldo who has recently lead through poor example with temperamental behaviour problems on and off the pitch these last few months.

It's clear as day to anyone that not only was he started and given assurances that he would no longer be subbed off, but also as a sweetener to be given the captaincy so ten hag could be in his good books again.

 

[Lentwood]

What goals?

Exactly

 

[Frank Grimes]

Exactly

Touche

 

[Devil81]

I have a feeling all the good work ETH has put in has been kinda undone by this strange period of starting Ronaldo every game even though he has offered zero to the team.

I'd like to think he's doing it on purpose to show the Ronaldo fan boys he's finished but something tells me he's pandering to him and its really disappointing me.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Whats the reasoning behind giving Ronaldo the captaincy if he didn't lose the battle? He could have given it to martinez, De Gea, Eriksen or even rashford, all players who are far more professional and display leadership qualities. Ronaldo was lucky not to be sent off because of how frustrated he got because he couldn't score, that's how much of a poor decision it was to start him and give him the captaincy.

Because he was the only player in the starting lineup who has previously been captain. Obviously.

What does this even mean, “lose the battle”, anyway? Did Ronaldo give ETH a wedgie and threaten to flush his head down the toilet if he didn’t make him captain?

Fecking hell. This place…

 

[Glorio]

He is still so so good.

Sooo good I tell you!!!

 

[Fanatic 00237]

The injuries cover him starting but not finishing. When Martial and Elanga came on his role was over. We just sacrificed a midfielder to prevent a tantrum. Even the starting role is highly contentious when Rashford starts the game on the right. If we're committed to making Rashford worthless let it be in the position we actually won games this season, at CF.

Absolutely. I don’t buy the argument that we kept him on because we needed two goals either. EtH has been known even this very season to adjust tactics by taking off underperforming strikers when we need goals. Keeping CR and putting Martial on I don’t know what position killed any chance to score even one, let alone the two we needed.

Also, CR’s nothingness at CF role is no better than Elanga’s nothingness at RW so I don’t get why the unavailabilities of Antony, Sancho and Martial imply that we must watch CR floundering around for 90 minutes for a 4th consecutive match.

 

[Mickeza]

Because he was the only player in the starting lineup who has previously been captain. Obviously.

What does this even mean, “lose the battle”, anyway? Did Ronaldo give ETH a wedgie and threaten to flush his head down the toilet if he didn’t make him captain?

Fecking hell. This place…

Rashford and De Gea have both captained us before. Casemiro has captained Brazil and Martinez has captained Ajax. Lindelof has probably captained Sweden before too.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

I have a feeling all the good work ETH has put in has been kinda undone by this strange period of starting Ronaldo every game even though he has offered zero to the team.

I'd like to think he's doing it on purpose to show the Ronaldo fan boys he's finished but something tells me he's pandering to him and its really disappointing me.

Surely it’s obvious that he’s playing Ronaldo so much recently because the alternatives are all either even worse, or injured?

Martial clearly isn’t match fit and has a track record of repeatedly breaking down in his first game back after an injury. Sancho’s been ill, Antony’s injured, Elanga is… Elanga.

Have I forgotten anyone? Because to me it seems obvious we’re playing Ronaldo because we’re flat out of any alternatives. Shite and all as he is right now. I don’t know why so many of ye can’t see this?

 

[Deery]

I have a feeling all the good work ETH has put in has been kinda undone by this strange period of starting Ronaldo every game even though he has offered zero to the team.

I'd like to think he's doing it on purpose to show the Ronaldo fan boys he's finished but something tells me he's pandering to him and its really disappointing me.

He’s our only reliable striker as Martial is a sick note and shite half the time, what do you expect a manager to do he needs Ronaldo firing so he’s kind of stuck with what he’s got.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Rashford and De Gea have both captained us before. Casemiro has captained Brazil and Martinez has captained Ajax. Lindelof has probably captained Sweden before too.

So Rashford and DDG were an option then. Why do you think Ronaldo got the arm band?

 

[Devil81]

Surely it’s obvious that he’s playing Ronaldo so much recently because the alternatives are all either even worse, or injured?

Martial clearly isn’t match fit and has a track record of repeatedly breaking down in his first game back after an injury. Sancho’s been ill, Antony’s injured, Elanga is… Elanga.

Have I forgotten anyone? Because to me it seems obvious we’re playing Ronaldo because we’re flat out of any alternatives. Shite and all as he is right now. I don’t know why so many of ye can’t see this?

Rashford is more than capable of playing through the middle, there has been that alternative for all the games. I get starting him the first couple but today was madness given how bad he's been.