we are so one dimensional when he plays. I think the boss needs to start, even in Martials absence, look at other options. Rashford isn't clinical, we know that, but he can least occupy central defenders and stretch them, give us a fast counter option.Maybe start him next game centrally, Ronaldo is too static these days. Even teams sitting deep like Newcastle 2nd half, still leave room in behind at times, see the chance Rashford created for Fred. We really need to look at striker options in Jan, it doesn't have to be a goal a game striker, just someone who can hold the ball, create space for wingers in behind and runners from mid.
Do you believe Ronaldo is finished as a top level player?
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I do think he's finished as a top level player. Good thing he's at Man United and not the top level really.
Waahaaay!
Waahaaay!
What kind of laugh was that, be respectful, people are having energy crisis.
He is finished. And it doesn't matter what club he plays for.
He's finished as a top-level player. Would look out of place in any of the top-12 teams in the PL. I just hope he has an outstanding WC-22 so that it can be my last memory of him. 
I see the argument that if he was at man City, Liverpool or Chelsea he would be still be prolific but.... what none of these pundits want to highlight is that would it actually make man City, Liverpool or chelsea stronger or weaker as a side as a whole?
He was obviously finished as the WC beast for the last few years. We had absolutely no business signing him as a team in transition. So frustrating when I could see this situation occurring from a mile off.
If only Messi didn't leave Barcelona he'd probably be stat padding in France now.
80% - 20% is a joke. He was our top goalscorer last season ffs.
Only a few months ago his new born child died, other things he said he would tell the public about and no pre-season as a 37 year old.
One thing for sure, the chance Rashford missed last night against Newscastle, Ronaldo would have scored and won us the game.
Please put some respect on his name, he is the highest goalscoring player of all time, give him proper service and he will score.
Only a few months ago his new born child died, other things he said he would tell the public about and no pre-season as a 37 year old.
One thing for sure, the chance Rashford missed last night against Newscastle, Ronaldo would have scored and won us the game.
Please put some respect on his name, he is the highest goalscoring player of all time, give him proper service and he will score.
He only had 70 minutes to get himself in that position and didn't not once.
Ronaldo had eight successful passes in the opposition half, and seven failed attempts. By comparison, Sancho had 24 completed and one astray, Antony 23 and three, Fernandes 23 and seven.
Overall, Ronaldo’s pass success rate was 58.9 per cent unreal how much this shit is costing us.
He's a nothing player as far as our build-up and chance creation right now. None of his passing is sharp, none of his runs or movement are that enticing, doesn't dribble anyone. A lot of our attacking play yesterday was sloppy and uninventive, but he is absolutely part of that problem.
Pele had a great record of goalscoring too. Should we try him? Ronaldo is proving, every game he plays this season that he's not able for this level anymore. That's not disrespect, it's not discounting his incredible record. It's acknowledging that his age has caught up with him. He'll still get the odd goal here and there and this thread will be full of people laughing at everyone who wrote him off, but watching him play this season, it's obvious to me that he is no longer good enough to lead the line for us or any top team.
I don't know people keep thinking he's ageless. No big clubs wanted him in the summer. People can respect Ronaldo a great of the game and be realistic about the fact that's he's almost 38 and a shadow of the player he was. Sure, he'll score a few goals before he probably leaves in january, but he's unconvincing almost every time he plays.
Seems ridiculous to me to not pass in not-good position to a player who’s in top 3 players ever. If anyone, he should be able to receive it in tough positions and get something out of it. I dont think he’s lost it technically. I wouldnt say our strategy is “pass it to Ronaldo neither.” He was on the end of almost no chances last game.
What? His pass rate was 58.9% yesterday I mean the proof is right there if only you look for it
Until he finds another team that’s prepared to put his stats above all else, he’s finished. That’s what we did for him last year. His goal tally was fine, our league position was not.
I think last year was his last Hurrah and I thank him for it.
The effort it must have taken to play at the level he has been since about 35 is phenomenal. Add in his personal tragedy and I think has finally reached the finish line.
A shame but it happens to everyone.
Hate the abuse he gets on here even though he brings some of it on himself.
The effort it must have taken to play at the level he has been since about 35 is phenomenal. Add in his personal tragedy and I think has finally reached the finish line.
A shame but it happens to everyone.
Hate the abuse he gets on here even though he brings some of it on himself.
Deceiving sample size of 1 game. His pass completion is 74% this year. At his arguably best season at Real Madrid it was 80%. Not really a big fall off
He has barely played and the majority of games he has played has been against weak opponents, when he has played against the stronger opponents its been diabolical
Hohhah! Touche and all that.
But the fact is that he looks finished at whatever level we're at too.
I'll put plenty of respect on his name, he's an all time level player and a club legend. I even defended him last year as I thought he was clearly our best attacker especially in the run in, and there were a few times he singlehandedly won us matches. But there's no denying that he's even lost another yard of pace from last year, to the point where he can't really pull away from any decent defender, and in turn it affects how many chances he is presented within games.
Ammonia fc and now newcsull. yes sadly its over.
Yes, the way a lot of pundits speak about Ronaldo I can only think they've not watched him at all this season. He really has taken a nosedive in terms of ability, though its been coming for a year or two. There's continuous criticism of ETH for not playing him enough, too, like it's some kind of betrayal. I'll be relieved when he's gone.
Yeah Keane in particular is bad far that. I generally like Keano, but he's being willfully blind to Ronaldo's decline to stay on good terms with him.
Unfortunately yes and shaking his fecking head and chatting to himself as he comes off the pitch because he knows the cameras are on him doesn’t do him any favours either, he just looks like a bit of a cnut, especially when he’d done nothing of note to justify staying on.
I think if he moved on in January and we got in another striker it would be best all round.
Sad to see really.
I think if he moved on in January and we got in another striker it would be best all round.
Sad to see really.
Ridiculous, ain't it?
And coming from - supposedly - the one who always calls it as he sees it, etc.
I like Keano too (I can't help it). But his comments on Ronaldo? If he actually believes the crap he's been spouting, what can you say? A pundit who actually, objectively believes that Ronaldo is in the current top 3 of Premier League players (the other two being De Bruyne and Haaland) is...I dunno, either insane or an idiot.
If he doesn't actually, genuinely believe it (which you'd hope, for his sake), he certainly isn't "honest Keano, who just calls it as he sees it".
He comes across as sucking up to Ronaldo (yes, actually). I can't see him doing that for clicks either (some of the things he says could be construed as being for clicks), since this is more of a mainstream stance: English media pundits haven't turned on Ronaldo (certainly not ex-United pundits) at all. In fact, the mainstream narrative is still based on the idea that he's still a world class player (it seems).
Yeah, sadly he’s done. I was still hopeful he had it for another year but it’s just a bit sad watching him now.
It’s not so much that he’s missing chances but that he doesn’t even get the chances like he would have even a year ago. If he gets put through he often gets caught by the defender before getting his shot off or he gets a shot under pressure. The header Rashford missed yesterday would see Ronaldo arrive a second late. He’s not really challenged for a header all season. Even when Sancho played him in (the pass was slightly heavy) a younger striker or younger Ronaldo still has a chance there.
It’s as clear an example of a player getting old I’ve seen in a long time.
It’s not so much that he’s missing chances but that he doesn’t even get the chances like he would have even a year ago. If he gets put through he often gets caught by the defender before getting his shot off or he gets a shot under pressure. The header Rashford missed yesterday would see Ronaldo arrive a second late. He’s not really challenged for a header all season. Even when Sancho played him in (the pass was slightly heavy) a younger striker or younger Ronaldo still has a chance there.
It’s as clear an example of a player getting old I’ve seen in a long time.
People saying he'd have scored the Rashford chance - he'd have been a yard offside as the cross came in or 15 yards away.
Watching him at the ground is infuriating, he just walks about. Legs have completely gone.
Watching him at the ground is infuriating, he just walks about. Legs have completely gone.
This
He wouldn't have been on the end of it.
He's rubbish and criticising players who are much more important to the future of the club won't make it any better.
Besides scoring and having a goal ruled out, and a penalty not given, other then that I agree, he hadn't done much.
I think Keane simply has great respect for Ronaldo as a person and it somewhat blinds him to his current faults. Ronaldo has throughout his career, purely in terms of being a footballer, been one of the most driven and professional players around. Always kept himself in peak physical condition, has an almost psychotic obsession with being the best and can't stand losing. Mentality-wise he shares a lot in common with Keane, as different as they are as people.
Yep he's past it. Like many of us. Waking up at 3am needing to pee. Wearing varifocals but still squinting at the screen. Sitting at the edge of his bed wondering why he's got a pain in his foot that wasn't there when he went to sleep. Standing at the bottom of the stairs launching a 24 pack bundle of Andrex toilet roll up to the next floor cause he'd rather not climb the steps.
Or is that just me?
Or is that just me?
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The "no service" line is always trotted out to excuse misfiring strikers but it fails to acknowledge that a big part of a strikers job is to be in the right positions and to make the right runs.
As far as I am concerned, the "no service" line only serves to reinforce that not only is a striker not scoring, they're not even in positions to get chances - which really condemns them rather than excuses them
When we’re trying to play front foot football he can’t lead the line, he offers nothing. Look at the difference when Martial has played this year. He holds the ball up, brings the inverted wingers into the game. Ronaldo can’t play centre forward in this system.
Yeah, it is sad to see...
Hell, you're making me guilty for feeling happy if he goes!
He's finished as a top-level player. Would look out of place in any of the top-12 teams in the PL. I just hope he has an outstanding WC-22 so that it can be my last memory of him.
the rest of the Portugal team have to carry him so hard..
Childish
The sight of a packed OT singing at the top of their lungs on the way to a big win with him playing zero part of it must've been far too much for the ego to handle
He's a disgrace. Should shred his contract. Imagine Bryan Robson carrying on like this.