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04.11.2021 » Ronaldo's impact at Old Trafford since his arrival
Cristiano Ronaldo, the man, the myth, the beast... There are many words to describe the brilliance on display, but there's often the feeling that he makes any superlative looks insufficient. Anyone betting on goalscorers on bet-bonuskoodi.com or other bookmakers in a game featuring Ronaldo is often tempted to back Ronaldo to open the scoring, or score more than once. Nothing has changed throughout the years, as one of the greatest players ever continues to rise to the occasion week in, week out. Those who mocked Manchester United about bringing the 36-year-old player back and Ronaldo's decision to return to the Premier League in his twilight playing years are now hiding in the shadows.
Cristiano Ronaldo - Game changer:
Cristiano Ronaldo keeps carrying United on his back
Cristiano has once again proved the class is permanent, growing into one of the headline performers in England's top-flight, let alone Old Trafford.
Ronaldo has recorded four goals and one assist in seven league appearances this season, which means he has been directly involved in 41.67% of United's Premier League goals since his debut against Newcastle United.
The ex-Real Madrid ace has quickly become an X-Factor at Old Trafford, using all of his skills and experience to help Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hold onto his job so far.
United have managed to bring down the stubborn defences of Tottenham and Newcastle and find an all-important equaliser against West Ham only thanks to Ronaldo's goals.
Indeed, Cristiano has developed into a talismanic figure of some sort, having won all three Premier League fixtures when finding the net this season.
And while the Portugal captain's eye-catching goal tally in the Premier League already silenced his critics, a new problem for United has emerged.
Whether it's the consequence of Solskjaer's game plan or Ronaldo's personality, United appear to be overly reliant on the quicksilver forward.
Apart from Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood's sporadic flashes of pure class and Bruno Fernandes' teasing through balls, the Red Devils often rely on Cristiano to come up with the goods.
Late goals week in and week out!
Let's for a moment forget about the Premier League and focus on Man United's Champions League exploits this season.
If it's not been for Ronaldo, Solskjaer's dream of progressing into the competition's knock-outs would have probably been long gone, based on Man United's displays in Group F.
Like it's been the case throughout his entire career, Cristiano always brings his A-game to the plate on the back of the Champions League anthem.
Though his early deadlock-broker against Young Boys on Matchday 1 eventually proved insufficient as United fell to a dreadful 2-1 defeat in Switzerland, Ronaldo has continued to dominate Europe's elite competition this season.
After scoring a last-gasp winner to hand his side a precious victory over Villarreal on Matchday 2, the Portuguese superstar went on to emulate similar heroics against Atalanta in the following gameweek.
As if his late decider at Old Trafford was not enough to rescue United's Champions League knock-outs charge, Ronaldo came up massive to single-handedly hold the Italians to a 2-2 draw in Bergamo on Tuesday.
Ronaldo has become the first United player since Ruud van Nistelrooy in April 2004 to score in four consecutive Champions League appearances as he continues to write history in elite European football.
Despite having nothing to prove to anyone but himself, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner approaches every match with the same enthusiasm and desire to win as he did back in the days of his affirmation.
He is still the catalyst to able to swing close, eagerly-contested affairs into his side's favour.
However, he needs the rest of the team to stand by his side and show the same resilience and determination if United are to restore their domestic supremacy.
Solskjaer has trusted Ronaldo to lead by example, and the superstar has embraced the task, helping the Red Devils remain competitive on multiple fronts every step of the way.
Cristiano has come back where he belongs, and he respects and relishes every piece of it.
It is now up to Solskjaer (or his potential successor) and his teammates to step up and back the superstar's efforts to bring glory days back to Old Trafford.
Cristiano Ronaldo next game for Manchester United is on November 6, against Manchester City. You can watch Manchester United vs Manchester City, Marseille vs Lazio, Celta de Vigo vs Barcelona, Leicester City vs Spartak, Tottenham vs Vitesse, and Genk vs West Ham, all matches provided from our football live game pages.
Manchester United next game:
Manchester United vs Manchester City kick-off time (06-11-2021):
Beijing (China) | UTC/GMT+8: 20:30
Jakarta (Indonesia) | UTC/GMT+7: 19:30
India (New Delhi) | UTC/GMT+5.30: 18:00
Italy (Turin) | UTC/GMT+1: 13:30
Spain (Madrid) | UTC/GMT+1: 13:30
Portugal and England (Lisbon/London) | UTC/GMT+0: 12:30
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | UTC/GMT-3: 09:30
New York (United States) | UTC/GMT-4: 08:30
Los Angeles (United States) | UTC/GMT-7: 05:30
Sources: ronaldo7.net / mirror.co.uk / cnn.com
