He may have 18 goals this season, but if Manchester United want to end their five-year trophy drought, the Cristiano Ronaldo must leave. Before the campaign started, there was a genuine atmosphere of optimism in and around Old Trafford.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had the backing of fans and the board after steering the club to a second-placed finish in the league and to the Europa League final, where they were cruelly defeated on penalties by Villarreal.
He also worked wonders in the transfer market, securing the transfers of Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho for cut-price fees.
Then Ronaldo’s transfer changed everything.
LORD PING: FOR OPINIONATED PLAYERS
Ronaldo Was A Panic Buy
The Portugal superstar wanted out at Juventus, paving the way for negotiations to begin with Manchester City over a move to the Etihad.
A move to his club’s fierce rivals may never have materialized, but the prospect of him donning the Sky Blue shirt in a team managed by Pep Guardiola was seemingly too much for Old Trafford chiefs to fathom.
That’s why they swooped in to sign the superstar at the 11th hour before the transfer deadline slammed shut.
Panic buy? Almost certainly.
It was a blockbuster deal which sent shockwaves spiraling around the world of football, and one that has utimately it has stifled the club to a staggering extent.
In fact, his arrival may well have been the reason Solskjaer was sacked in December.
Solskjaer Sacking
Despite an electric start to his return to the Premier League, where he hit three goals in his opening two matches, a horrendous run of form for United ensued.
The team lacked cohesion with Ronaldo leading the line and one victory in seven league matches compelled Solskjaer to the axe at Old Trafford.
Suddenly, after two years of progress under the Norwegian, they were back to square one just three months into the new season.
Rangnick Hasn't Steadied The Ship
Ralf Rangnick has come in to steady the ship and it’s difficult to say he’s done that.
They crashed out of the FA Cup to a Championship side on penalties and also were defeated - somewhat easily - by Atletico Madrid in the last-16 of the Champions League - securing another trophyless season for the fifth consecutive campaign.
United Lack Cohesion And Harmony
The lack of harmony in the team has been evident for all to see.
Marcus Rashford is failing to hit the heights we know he can, Bruno Fernandes just doesn’t seem to be as effective as we know he can be, and Ronaldo’s biweekly tantrums seem to be having a big impact on the squad, with reports of a divide between the Portuguese and English speaking players widely reported throughout this season.
The Premier League giants also boast the worst defence of any side in the so-called ‘Big Six’, having shipped 40 goals in 29 matches this season and sitting joint-11th in the clean sheet rankings.
That’s no fault of Ronaldo's, but it’s certainly interesting to note their drop off in defence given they statistically had the fourth best back line last season in terms of shut-outs.
Ronaldo Doesn't Suite United's Style
Ronaldo is undeniably still a brilliant striker, but he doesn’t suit United’s style of play with their current wingers.
Jadon Sancho, who has finally come of age in recent months, prefers to link up closely with his No.9 just as he did so brilliantly with Erling Haaland at Borussia Dortmund.
At the age of 37, Ronaldo doesn’t offer the intricate and neat build-up play that both players need to excel to the max.
After all, he’s an absolute monster in the air but has just one headed goal in the Premier League this season - and it’s March.
Time To Cut Ties
His hat-trick against Tottenham earlier this month proved he still has undeniable quality, but if United are to truly progress as a club, it’s time they put sentiment aside and cut ties with their legend.
The club’s dwindling form and fortunes since his arrival is evidence for that.
PLAY LORD PING
Lord Ping is an online casino with over 3000 online slots and live casino table games.
LORD PING, THE ONLINE CASINO FOR OPINIONATED PLAYERS!
