(Pic 1. Source: https://ronaldo.com/)
‘Viva Ronaldo! Viva Ronaldo! Running down the wing, Hear United sing, Viva Ronaldo!’ - The 80,000 supporters at the Theater of Dreams were eager to see their idol rejoin the Red Devils in the hopes of seeing the Portuguese captain play for United once more. Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro (born on February 5, 1985) returned to Manchester United after 12-years.
After a productive season at Juventus, when he scored 29 league goals and became the first player to finish as the top scorer in England, Spain, and Italy, he transferred to his old team. After Edison Cavani decided to wear the number 21, Ronaldo was instantly awarded the number 7 jersey upon his return. Following a transfer, shirt sales within the first 24 hours reportedly broke the world record according to SkySports. For Manchester United supporters, it was almost like a dream come true.
On September 11, 2021, Ronaldo made his Premier League comeback official, against Newcastle United. He scored a brace as his team defeated Newcastle United 4-1. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the manager at the time, had everything going his way.
But Cristiano's joy couldn't continue for long, as his club ended the season in sixth place in the league without winning any awards. Ronaldo was still determined to be scoring goals and rescuing his team on numerous occasions despite their subpar performance.
Stats
In his first season following his return, Ronaldo scored 18 goals (Top 3) from 30 appearances during his second tenure in the Premier League. He has scored more than 30% of United's goals (57), which is astounding for a 37-year-old with a goal every 1.2 games. His season statistics for 2021–2022 are listed below.
(Pic 2. Source: https://www.premierleague.com/)
Analysis
We can all agree that it is unrealistic to expect a player to compete at a level comparable to when he was in his mid-20s at the age of 37. However, that is an intriguing fact. Take a look at the image below
(Pic 3. Source: https://twitter.com/ElitxCR7)
He doesn't dribble as frequently, he doesn't sprint as quickly, and he isn't as active, yet his statistics from the season (2008–09) before he joined Real Madrid are practically identical to those from the last one (21–22).
Let's now take a closer look at the previous season.
(Pic 4. Source: https://analytics.soccerment.com/)
He has scored significantly fewer goals since the 2020–21 season (37 goals), as shown by the graph above that shows the number of goals scored per season. Although it is evident that his performance has declined, it should be noted that his goal conversion ratio of 16.4%—which is calculated by dividing the number of goals by the total number of shots—has remained stable over the last two seasons (15 percent, 17.2 percent). This indicates that the number of chances given to him rather than the number of goals is what needs to be questioned.
What has changed, then? Read on.
1. Goals Galore
Cristiano continued to do what he does best despite United putting on their worst performance in Premier League history, falling to the sixth place. He finished third in Premier League goal scoring last season with 18 goals, behind Son and Salah. He is said to be the first player in the history of professional football to score 800 goals in a career, which is a great accomplishment in itself. He presently has scored 813 goals, another major feat, and is 49 goals ahead of Lionel Messi, who has 764 goals to his name.
(Pic 5. Source: https://www.premierleague.com/)
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner scored two hat-tricks (3rd for Man Utd) against Tottenham and Norwich in the 2021–2022 season, both of which enabled his team to win 3-2. If the forward has one strength, it's goals, and goals win games.
2. The Best Forward, Still?
Harry Kane, the captain of England, and Cristiano were unquestionably the top 2 forwards in the Premier League last season when compared to other forwards. The Englishman scored 17 goals overall and contributed 9 assists. Following illustration shows the comparison between the two:
(Pic 6. Source: https://analytics.soccerment.com/)
Considering the age of both, CR7 has the upper hand in claiming the best forward for last season. But, the race for the top forward will undoubtedly be passed on with Haaland or Nunez or any bright star entering the league, but that doesn't mean CR7 isn't good.
3. Aerial Threat
(Pic 7. Source: https://en-smanews.org/)
Ronaldo used to receive the ball, hold it, dribble, and even produce goals on his own in his early 20s. To hope for the same performance from the 37-year-old is pure fantasy. He was still Man Utd's key man in addition to David DeGea despite certain faults. From the very beginning, Ronaldo is perhaps the best attacking header of the ball. Although his pace has been slowing down with age, his aerial reach has never been an issue. Keep a watch out for his strong headers from set pieces as they provide him an advantage over the defence of the opposition.
4. Less Dribbling, More Positional Play
(Pic 8. Source: https://www.sofascore.com/)
Over the past ten years, CR7 has evolved into more of a striker who will score when given the chance rather than a winger who cuts in and fires directly at the goal. His shooting conversion rate as from Pic 3 is at 39 percent, which is higher than the Premier League average and consistent with his previous three seasons.
His dribble success rate, which is at 63 percent after only 36 attempts, is another unexpected statistic. This indicates that he is highly aware of when he should dribble and get past an opponent and when he shouldn't.
5. Non-existent Defense.
Ronaldo is still one of the finest attacking players in the world, according to the heatmap from Sofascore up top, but his defensive play is essentially nonexistent
(Pic 9. Source: https://www.sofascore.com/)
For the entire season, Ronaldo has only recorded 10 tackles, of which 8 were successful. Compared to other attacking players on the team like his national counterpart, Bruno Fernandes has attempted 59 tackles.
Additionally, Ronaldo was found to be ranked last among the top forwards in the modern game for the number of pressures made in a game, indicating that he is not likely to participate in chasing after the opposition when they don't have the ball.
6. Offside’s a Bugger
The United man has been caught offside for a total of 33 times last season, more than once per game and also the highest in the Premier League, as he leads the stat by 7, with Burnley’s Maxwel Cornet and Newcastle’s Chris Wood tied second with 26 as seen below.
(Pic 10. Source: https://www.premierleague.com/)
His eagerness to score and forward sprint, combined with his teammates' inability to time their passes to keep him from getting onside, are the main causes of this. Ultimately, more time needs to spent in training
Review
Critics and the media have consistently questioned Cristiano's ability to succeed before the start of each season, despite the fact that he has silenced them frequently. There is plenty of talent on the United roster, even after a very disappointing performance the previous season. The next 2022–2023 season will put both Ronnie and United to the test. Cristiano will be expected to carry on doing what he does best and help the squad win trophies.
The fact that this is a team game and not a solo effort would need him to assume greater responsibility in enlisting the aid of his teammates. Regardless of the fact that he saved United from humiliation numerous times last season, he will be held to the same standard of performance in addition to being reliable.
Even if CR7 still has a few years left in his illustrious career, he must take the initiative, set the example, and inspire his team to operate as a unit. If that is done, Erik Ten Haag's United would-be title contenders and would also bring the Champions League back to Old Trafford.
All United supporters will want to see the difference under Ten Haag and resolve their managerial issues in order to once more witness magnificent attacking football with their hero Cristiano Ronaldo leading the line. The era of CR7 may be coming to an end, but let's hope it does so with the audience chanting "Viva Ronaldo" before he leaves permanently.
(Pic 11. Source: https://www.footballtransfers.com/)
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Great Analysis! Enjoyable read.