Cristiano Ronaldo’s second coming at Manchester United has not gone the way he had hoped for. Once the most celebrated player at United now looks on from the dugout as the young players play the game he highly loves.
New coach Erik-ten-Hag who started off with back-to-back losses, took the big decision of dropping Cristiano Ronaldo. United have since then gone on to win three matches and get to the top five.
Ronaldo hasn’t started in any of United’s previous four matches against Liverpool, Southampton, Leicester and Arsenal; games that United won. The Europa League match between Manchester United and Real Sociedad was the first time that the legendary Portuguese was starting a match. This was a chance for Ronaldo to prove that he still has so much to give and could still lead the line for United. The 37-year-old however blew his chance as he could not help the English team to score a goal against the midtable Spanish side.
Notably, this was also the first time that Ronaldo played in Europa League, the competition which is considered a level below the Champions League. Earlier the five-time Ballon d’Or winner had shown a desire to play for a Champions League team. Many clubs also contacted the player but he wasn’t allowed to leave United and hence was stuck at Manchester United.
His performance in the Europa League match has attracted a lot of criticism as the former Real Madrid player failed to impress his new coach as well as the fans. United lost to the Spanish side by 0-1 in the Europa Lague curtain raiser. Many United fans seem dejected at Ronaldo’s fall from the pinnacle of football and many also suggest him to be the reason for Manchester United playing badly. Ronaldo however has been one of the greatest footballers of all time, and it would be foolish for anyone to claim that he’s past it.
Twitter although was buzzing with fans lambasting Ronaldo’s poor performance in Europa League and many have asked him to be never selected again.
Let’s look at how Twitter reacted to Ronaldo’s poor performance in the Europa League.
Ronaldo this season
0 goals
0 assists
1644 claps pic.twitter.com/ROkPGNMkQk— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) September 8, 2022
Respect to Ronaldo for doing 90 minutes of silence ?? https://t.co/jgfW1HIBmX
— Madrid Fan (@cristiano_peak) September 8, 2022
Ronaldo listening the Europa League anthem for the 1st time before kick offpic.twitter.com/QLeUfmdNBd
— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) September 8, 2022
?? Zero goals scored
?? 297 minutes played in 7 games
?? Two starts were both lossesNot the start to the season Cristiano Ronaldo was expecting ???? pic.twitter.com/ErG0Advi3D
— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 8, 2022
I’m sorry, but Ronaldo completely kills our attack.
No fluidity, no press, no speed, terrible first touch, gets tired after 20 minutes.
I love the bloke but this isn’t a team that will constantly whip balls in and even when we can he’s dropped deep anyway.
Hurts to say it.
— Ryan (@Itshaber) September 8, 2022
Cristiano Ronaldo had a "RIP Queen Elizabeth II" shirt under his jersey, but he didn't score. pic.twitter.com/1dOuYqh159
— African King???? (@King4thNov) September 9, 2022
"I will love it, and I think I deserve it"
Cristiano Ronaldo on his new role as James Bond pic.twitter.com/7RFbxKkcZA
— Fred (@CFC_Keef) September 8, 2022
Ronaldo yesterday had the chance to prove to Ten Hag and the rest of the world why he should be starting matches, and he blew it. This goes to show how finished indeed he is. SMH…
— LAW ? (@_lawslaw) September 9, 2022
I love him but he looks a shadow of himself, football isn't fun anymore. I'd rather have a front 3 of Elanga, Martial and Rashford in this moment over playing CRISTIANO RONALDO. Yes that's how bad its gotten https://t.co/cMJaNIek6D
— Trey (@UTDTrey) September 9, 2022
? Zero goals scored
? 297 minutes played in 7 games
?? Two starts resulted in lossesIt's the end of an era for Cristiano Ronaldo. ? pic.twitter.com/l21e6s4P8X
— Goal Balls (@goaIballs) September 9, 2022
Cristiano Ronaldo has looked absolutely MILES off it every single time he's played for us this season. Even those who defended him most are starting to see how detrimental he is to us.
— Paddy (@OddsOnFPL) September 9, 2022
And you wanna tell me Ronaldo is not the problem? We gotta accept he is the problem.
Please leave my finito club pic.twitter.com/PSvI2iO16s— Pristiano Fan?? (@pendu_myidol) September 9, 2022
