Having Cristiano Ronaldo around will be massive in the early days of Erik Ten Hag’s United reign - Here is why

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Despite the flaws that has overshadowed the team’s overall performance this season, the Portuguese stands tall and his class has never been too affected by the dip in form and performance of the Manchester United team.

Erik Ten Hag and Cristiano Ronaldo in 2019. Photo Credits: Getty

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 17th league goal in the Premier League on Thursday night in a one all draw with Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea at the Old Trafford Stadium, the goal which help United preserve their record of not losing at home to Chelsea since 2013.

Even though it was a one sided affair with Chelsea all over their host, it took just one chance for the former Real Madrid man to help his side restore parity, with his first ever league goal against Chelsea.

On another day without the Portuguese, it might have been another long night right after Chelsea took the lead because even up to that moment Marcos Alonso fizzled one in past David de Gea, United look lost, loke a team without direct.

They were too passive in their play, caught on possession most of the times and losing all 50-50 duels with the visitors pinning them to their own half, allowing players like Reece James to have good time in the attacking third.

The Blue created a host of chances in the first half, forcing De Gea into making brilliant saves. But for United, just like most of the matches they have played this season, they were doing the chasing job as Chelsea continued to boss them.

In the end, Chelsea were denied a deserved win by a moment of genius from Ronaldo.

It is not the first time this season than the former Juventus forward has come the the rescue of his side.

In his first game on his second United debut against Newcastle United, the club has started to need the genius of Ronaldo to win matches. At Old Trafford against Norwich, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur in the league.

Also in matches against Norwich City, Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton, including almost all of their Champions League group games, Ronaldo has risen to the occasion to snatch a good result for the toothless Devils.

It takes a player like Ronaldo to do this. One could not help but wonder what could have been had United spend big on a young striker in the summer.

However, one thing is most probable to be the outcome of that and as we've seen Jadon Sancho, who arrived with a lot of hype in the summer, struggle to get going due to the rough patch the team is enduring, it will be rare to see any player thrive under this circumstance.

The Premier League is not a league where you get it easy even if you we're bought into a stabled team. A striker like Romelu Lukaku, who was the best player in the Serie A last season has struggled to get going at Chelsea, one of the best sides in the division.

Even those who switched teams in the division, just like Jack Grealish moving to Manchester City from Aston Villa hasn't been so far able to replicate his form in the Midlands at the Ethiad, under a manager like Pep Guardiola who requested a £100 million for his signature.

Ronaldo's adaptability is unrivaled and Erik Ten Hag will need the kind of his person to help him get through his early days at Old Trafford. It however remains to be seen if Ronaldo will stay beyond the summer as it does not look the club will play in the Champions League next season.

A lot of arrivals is expected to follow the current Ajax manager to the club once he starts assumes his post at the end of the season and the players will need time to settle down, Ronaldo is a worthy alternative even though he won't be here for long due to his age.

Though the numbers says otherwise, it has not been a happy return for Ronaldo at Manchester United. Photo Credits: Getty

However, as long as he is around, he can still deliver whenever called up, which has been evident so far in his career.

With three league games left for United this season, only Mohamed Salah has scored more than his 17 league goals this season. The Egyptian has 22 strikes, having played three games better than Ronaldo.

It has been a difficult first season for him back in England as his United team has had to deal with a lot of uncertainties and crisis, but with Ten Hag looking to steady the sinking ship, having the Portuguese around will help make the job easier for him.


Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi

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