Cristiano Ronaldo has only scored three goals for Manchester United this season, and his reduced role at the club is understandable.
Cristiano Ronaldo has made just four Premier League starts for Manchester United this season, which may explain why he believes Erik ten Hag ‘doesn’t respect him, though he would never accept the truth that he doesn’t deserve to start on a regular basis. When he’s played, he’s looked like a 37-year-old, and he hasn’t been a prolific scorer.
Ronaldo has made the bulk of his starts in the Europa League this season, a competition in which he never wanted to make an appearance, and he’s only managed three goals across all competitions, with his finishing ability now waning.
Two of those goals came against FC Sheriff (a penalty and a rebound) and the other came against Everton. While the latter goal was a wonderful effort, a throwback to yesteryear, the other two goals were certainly nothing to write home about.
Ronaldo scored 24 goals across all competitions last term and he was the club’s leading goalscorer by some distance, but there were concerns about his all-around game at this stage of his career and they are harder to excuse when he’s not scoring.
Ten Hag has not trusted him, or rated him enough, for consistent starts in the Premier League and that’s led the player to behave appallingly, throw a tantrum against Tottenham, agree to be interviewed by Piers Morgan, and make stunning remarks.
Whatever Ronaldo might claim in the full interview, which is set to be released later this week, he hasn’t deserved regular minutes in the Premier League this season, so here are the numbers behind his decline, which explained he hasn’t been trusted.
Ronaldo’s attacking output has obviously deteriorated but the extent of his regression this season is illustrated by the statistics, which show he’s having fewer shots, shots on target, headed shots, and successful attacking actions per 90 in this campaign.
It’s no coincidence that Ronaldo is scoring fewer goals, as he’s shooting less and his finishing has been poor. He booted the ball in the Stretford End after missing a chance against Sheriff last month and he’s not the only person frustrated with his end product.
Regarding how Ronaldo has fared on key defensive metrics, his statistics from this season are marginally better than last year’s, although it should be noted the ‘improvement’ has not been significant and is still disappointing for a forward in the Premier League.
Ronaldo has averaged just 0.16 ball recoveries in the opponent’s half per 90 this term and that’s hardly inspiring with someone like Harry Kane, for example, who is not known for being mobile, averaging 0.38 ball recoveries in the opponent’s half.
Anyone that has watched United this season will understand that Ten Hag’s side is better off without him. Ten Hag has often used the word ‘dynamic’ to describe his preferred attack and United is far from fluid and dynamic when Ronaldo plays.
That is also proved by Ronaldo’s underwhelming passing statistics this season, which highlight his regression on the majority of the key metrics. Ronaldo has averaged fewer passes, successful passes, and received passes and he’s often an isolated figure.
Ronaldo has averaged just 6.7 passes in the final third per 90 in this campaign and that is not good enough for a striker. Ten Hag has not trusted Ronaldo this season, but the five-time Ballon d’Or has not been treated unfairly, as the data suggests.
He is simply not the same player and that’s clearly difficult for him to accept.
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