Cristiano Ronaldo ‘held talks with Ralf Rangnick about playing with a strike partner’ earlier this month, with the isolated Man United star ‘telling his manager that a change in formation would benefit him and the team’
- Cristiano Ronaldo went goalless and starved of service against Atletico Madrid
- The Portuguese forward has scored just once in eight games for Man United
- Earlier this season he was partnered by Edinson Cavani among others up-front
- Ronaldo has suggested a return to the system in a meeting with Ralf Rangnick
Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is on the hunt for answers to his goal shortage, and has reportedly asked Ralf Rangnick to switch to a two-man attack.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is drifting through United games on the periphery – managing a single touch in Atletico Madrid’s box on Wednesday night. The cameras are still on him, but it’s a frustrated and ever-more furious Ronaldo on screen.
While the likes of Anthony Elanga, Jadon Sancho and Fred are finally starting to flourish in Rangnick’s 4-2-3-1, Ronaldo seems increasingly isolated. One goal in eight is a crisis for the Portuguese.
Cristiano Ronaldo was again starved of service for Man United in their Atletico Madrid draw
Ralf Rangnick and other senior United players reportedly had a meeting over the issue
Ronaldo was present at a meeting with Ralf Rangnick and fellow senior squad members to discuss the fractured team’s plight after drawing 1-1 at home to Southampton earlier this month, according to the Athletic.
The 37-year-old Galactico was most vocal, and particularly suggested a system change to unlock his goal-rush again.
United first introduced a two-man attack in the 3-0 victory over Tottenham back in October. Edinson Cavani started alongside Ronaldo, and both men scored to delay Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s inevitable sacking.
Ronaldo has linked-up most successfully with Edinson Cavani in a two-man attack so far
The system backfired as Manchester City toyed with a United led by Mason Greenwood and Ronaldo a few weeks later.
Rangnick picked Marcus Rashford to partner Ronaldo in a 4-2-2-2 system for his first match, a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, and tested Cavani and Greenwood in the same role until defeat against Wolves prompted a return to 4-2-3-1 in January.
They’ve stuck with it since but despite some promising signs, something is still missing, and Ronaldo remains a blunted weapon.
Whether a strike partner for Ronaldo is the answer or not, Rangnick’s options are restricted. Cavani is sidelined with a groin injury, Greenwood has been banished amidst his rape scandal and Rashford is struggling for form.
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