Cristiano Ronaldo has enjoyed a terrific return to Manchester United individually. At 36 years of age, many would have wondered if he could still get it done in the Premier League after being away for over a decade. The Portuguese legend has shown that he definitely can and his dramatic stoppage time goal against Villarreal in the Champions League was proof that he remains a brilliant match winner.
But for all of his individual brilliance, Manchester United have not been brilliant as a team this season till now. They are already out of the League Cup, have slid down the Premier League table in recent weeks and lost their opening game of the Champions League group stage campaign against Young Boys.
Even their performance against Villarreal was disappointing and if not for David de Gea’s heroics in goal, they probably would have lost that match.
Recent rumours had even suggested that Ronaldo had urged for the ball to be played to him quicker after the game against Villarreal, which was one of his quietest in a Manchester United shirt until that late winner. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has denied those rumours though. As reported by talkSPORT, the manager said:
"“Oh yeah, that’s another one.“Wow, what can you answer to that?“What we speak about, that’s between us. But we’ve not had that discussion to put it that way.”"
Manchester United cannot rely on Ronaldo to deliver every time
There is no doubt about the fact that Ronaldo is one of the greatest players in the history of the game. But, Manchester United cannot rely on him to deliver every time.
At the end of the day, Ronaldo is 36 years of age and no longer in his prime as a footballer. And while he still remains one of the best pure goalscorers in the game, the Red Devils do need other players who can find the back of the net on a consistent basis as well.
Hopefully, as this team gels together, the performances will get better over the course of the season. For now, the focus must shift towards the upcoming game against Everton in the Premier League.