Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United has borne goals, but the Portuguese international has divided opinion over his defensive actions – or lack thereof – for the team. The 36-year-old responded to his critics emphatically in a recent interview with Sky Sports.
Ronaldo has netted six goals in eight appearances for United since his return in August, but the general discourse surrounding him has been about what he takes away from the team instead of what he brings to it.
Statistically, the Portuguese is the most reluctant pressing forward in the entire Premier League, which as per critics, is causing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side severe defensive and structural issues.
However, when questions regarding his defensive work rate were put to him, Ronaldo fired back emphatically. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner claimed that while he knew his defensive role in the team, his primary duty is to help the team win.
“I know when the team needs my help defensively. But my role in the club is to win, help the team to win and to score goals — [the defensive side] is part of my job.
“The people who don’t want to see that is because they don’t like me but to be honest I’m 36, I win everything so am I going to be worried about the people who say bad things about me?”
he said.
While questions regarding Ronaldo’s exact tactical fit and defensive responsibilities in Solskjaer’s system remain unanswered, there are few doubts about his match-winning pedigree.
Cristiano came up trumps in Manchester United’s last two Champions League games, in which he scored late on to help turn a couple of draws into wins.
Ronaldo also scored in the Red Devils’ defeat against Young Boys (2-1) in the Champions League, to go with his three league goals in five league games. The 36-year-old will be hoping to add to his tally when Solskjaer’s team plays an in-form Liverpool on Sunday.
