The moment Cristiano Ronaldo realised he would be staying at Manchester United, against his will after seeking a transfer, his priorities changed.
Euphoria had reached fever pitch at Old Trafford in the summer of 2021 as the big names came bursting through the doors. United’s long-running pursuit of Jadon Sancho finally paid off, four-time European Cup winner Raphael Varane seemed a substantial upgrade on Victor Lindelof, and homecoming hero Ronaldo the icing on the cake. A long-overdue title challenge was on the horizon.
The renaissance mission Ronaldo was supposed to spearhead, however, turned into a disaster as United finished with their lowest points total in Premier League history, and thus the goalposts shifted. The title had never been so out of reach in the post Sir Alex Ferguson era.
Ronaldo, therefore, wanted out. Winning things at United meant a great deal to the player who had not forgotten how the club put a scrawny teenager from Madeira on the map.
But with the fairy tale turning into a nightmare, agent Jorge Mendes invited offers for his star client last month. However, nobody could either afford the Portuguese superstar or wanted to take a risk on a 37-year-old with an ego greater than his bank balance.
What has come out of all this is no use to anyone, as United prepare for the Manchester derby this weekend.
Sheriff v Man United player ratings
-
MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea 7 Poor control after two minutes saw largely tame Sheriff fans get excited. United had dominance thereafter. Secure handling of 74th minute shot. Vocal towards his teammates during late Sheriff attacks. AP -
Tyrell Malacia 7 Three fouls in the first 11 minutes, he’s feisty alright. Neat link up with Sancho down the left, where he had to be alert against the tricky Diop. An errant header inadvertently set up a 60th minute Sheriff attack. Switched to right when Shaw came on. AP -
Lisandro Martinez 7 Vocal, aggressive, usually looks for the forward pass. United are leaning towards man marking when defending around the box – for the first time since a Ferguson team. Travelling fans sang ‘Argentina!’ in his honour – and again when he went off. He applauded back. AP -
Raphael Varane 8 Solid and kept control of Rasheed. Licensed to move forward when Casemiro came on – and covered for him. His positioning is flawless – when Sheriff tried to cross he covered the area as well as his men. AP -
Diogo Dalot 7 Losing possession led to an 11th minute Sheriff attack. Won the penalty which led to United’s second when he was brought down after 39. Pulled a ball back for Bruno to shoot at the start of the second half. Got into very attacking positions. EPA -
Scott McTominay 8 Assertive and balances the midfield. Crisp, accurate passing. Prepares to defend when United attack. Pushed high, involved in the opening goal along with Eriksen – the pair played as a defensive two yet pushed deep into the Sheriff half. Ran into the box and played a dangerous ball across box on 42 as United controlled. Balanced AP -
Christian Eriksen 8 He’s becoming an important United player. Assisted the first goal, swung a free-kick in after 25. Crossed towards Ronaldo on 56. A real threat. AP -
Fernandes 6 The 600 travelling fans hollered “Bruno!” when he chased down a 43rd minute ball but not as effective as the players around him. AFP -
Antony 6 Another involved in a fantastic opening team goal. Also capitalised on a poor goalkeeper’s kick to set to up Sancho on 36, but he’s still finding those quick feet with his new team. Team needs time to adjust and get used to his movements. Getty -
Jadon Sancho 8 Dropped by England, he started and finished the move with put United ahead after 17 minutes, first with a throw to set off a fine team move. He finished Eriksen’s pass after he twisted to confuse the Sheriff defence. Thought he’d threaded a second goal on 36 – but it was blocked on the line. Played well. AP -
Ronaldo 7 Starting the game delighted the locals. He appealed for a 14th minute penalty, struck a shot over on 32, then took a penalty to make it 2-0 and claim his first goal of the season. Sidefooted a 68th minute shot over after more positive build up and did well to set up Antony on 73. Getty -
SUBS: Casemiro 7 On for McTominay at half time, the Brazilian needs minutes to get up to speed with his new team. Drops back when a central defender goes forward. Set a last minute attack up. Action Images -
Shaw 6 On for Dalot on 68. He won’t be judged in games when he comes on when United are cruising, but, equally, he also needs minutes. AFP -
Elanga N/A On for Ronaldo after 80. Couple of touches. AFP -
Maguire N/A On for Martinez after 89. AFP
When given his chance this season, sparingly so far, by new boss Erik ten Hag, Ronaldo has resembled a human pinball machine, firing aimlessly for goal at every opportunity, from any impossible angle, in the hope of achieving his one aim now, with trophies off the menu – enhancing his incredible goalscoring record.
He is the only player in professional footballing history with more than 800 goals – 816, 39 ahead of Lionel Messi and 54 more than Pele in third.
The start of another season in his goal-laden career has, so far, not been pretty.
From his six Premier League appearances this term, mostly off the bench, Ronaldo averages a colossal 5.9 shots per 90 minutes – the most in the division – and is yet to find the net. In contrast, the man who has usurped him as Europe’s leading marksman – City's Erling Haaland – has 11 goals from 4.2 shots per 90 minutes.
Given a rare start in the Europa League against Real Sociedad two weeks ago, Ronaldo had four further efforts at goal, without even finding the target. There were no runs made into the channel, no attempts to join in the build-up, and defensive movements were again conspicuous by their absence.
He simply hung around the penalty area like a stray dog desperate for some scraps, or pulled the trigger when 40 metres from goal.
What Ronaldo has to realise is, if this final year at United isn’t going to end in embarrassing ignominy, becoming something resembling a normal team player is the only way he will get the chances to extend his goalscoring record.
Ten Hag, even given his sparing use of Ronaldo thus far, is still keen to get what he can out of one of the best forwards of all time. No bridges have been burnt yet. If Ronaldo is willing to work and operate as a central striker who doesn’t just look for goal every time, he will get further opportunities.
Further performances like his against Sociedad and even against Sheriff Tiraspol, where he did at least open his season's account, won’t help anyone, and will do most damage to the player himself.
He would rather have found pastures new, and there is some element of sympathy afforded to Ronaldo given the mess that United became around him, as the goals still flowed, last season.
His legacy, however, is on the line. Ronaldo still has the legs, more know-how than many of his compatriots combined, and a thirst for goals like no other. Now he must learn, even at 37, that curbing his desperation for extending personal records is the only way he will get the gametime to fulfil his ambition.
The early signs of change are good after he registered an assist for Portugal against Czech Republic on Saturday, and he will have more time to impress against Spain on Tuesday night in the Nations League.
Now for more of the same in Manchester.
