Blind has criticised Ronaldo for ‘only thinking about goals’
Former Netherlands head coach Danny Blind has criticised Cristiano Ronaldo for the impact he is having on Manchester United playing in an ‘unfamiliar pattern’.
Blind believes that although Ronaldo is contributing with goals, his defensive performance is having a detrimental impact on the Red Devils.
Recent statistics have shown that the Portuguese captain has pressed the least of any forward who has played more than 270 minutes so far this campaign.
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Considering this, the former Ajax star thinks that Ronaldo’s presence is effecting the positional understanding of the other United players.
“Ronaldo doesn’t really need to play an active role,” Blind told Sportnieuws.
“Like, ‘Take your time’. You also see the other players looking at you like, ‘How are we going to solve it then?’
“Normally, the striker runs from one central defender to the other. This caused a lot of miscommunication.
“Now, they are not playing in their familiar pattern. When the ball was deflected, you saw Paul Pogba coaching that they had to put all the pressure on.
“Ronaldo did not do that; he is not like that. He only thinks about goals and hopes others will conquer the ball.”
The 36-year-old left Juventus to return to Old Trafford earlier this summer, for a report fee of £13million.
Since beginning his second spell in Manchester, the forward has scored five goals in six games – including a 95th minute winner to secure United’s first Champions League win of the season against Villarreal in midweek.
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored five goals in six games since returning to Manchester United. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Ronaldo started on the bench against Everton on Saturday, and the decision to do so is one that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been heavily criticised for.
Despite United taking the lead through Anthony Martial, the Toffees almost claimed a famous win after Andros Townsend scored an equaliser, but Yerry Mina’s tap-in was ruled out with the Columbian stood in an offside position.
United’s No 7 was brought on – before Everton scored their equaliser – but his 33 minute cameo actually coincided with a drop off in performance from the home side.
However, it would be hard to pin the Everton goal on Ronaldo not pressing. Fred [twice]. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw all missed chances to stop the Toffees’ counter before Townsend rifled home.
This is not the first time United have been severely disorganised in defence when a team counters at speed. Blind would be better off focusing on that obvious flaw than placing too much blame at the door of Pogba.
The draw and disappointing performance is understandably a concern for Solskjaer, with the Red Devils having won just two of their previous six games in all competitions.
For Ronaldo, he will now join up with the Portugal squad ahead of the international break, with United’s next Premier League game coming in two weeks time when they travel to Leicester City.
Related links:
- Furious Cristiano Ronaldo storms off pitch after Man Utd held at home
- Leonardo Bonucci suggests Ronaldo had negative effect on Juventus players’ motivation
- Andros Townsend trolls Ronaldo after scoring against Man Utd
