Krishnan Sreekumar
Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick responds to Cristiano Ronaldo goal drought
According to Manchester Evening News, Manchester United boss, Ralf Rangnick dismissed any worries about star forward Cristiano Ronaldo going through a goalscoring drought after his side suffered a frustrating 1-1 draw against Southampton in the Premier League. This was Man United’s second successive 1-1 draw in the league, following the draw against Burnley previously.
Jadon Sancho put the home side ahead in the first half, as the Red Devils went into the break in control of the game. However, they squandered their hard-earned lead within minutes of the restart and struggled to impose themselves for the remainder of the second period.
Ronaldo himself missed a chance in the game, failing to find the back of the net after rounding the keeper in the first half. Rangnick however, focused on the fact that the team created good chances for his Portuguese star to try to score.
“HE WOULD HAVE WISHED TO SCORE, I WOULD HAVE WISHED HIM TO SCORE, THE WHOLE TEAM WOULD HAVE WISHED HIM TO SCORE. I THINK TODAY HE HAD GOOD CHANCES, PROBABLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHANCES IN THE GAME WAS WHEN HE WENT AROUND THE GOALKEEPER AND IT WAS CLEARED OFF THE LINE.”
It marked Ronaldo’s sixth game without scoring, which is now the worst spell in his career since his first spell at Old Trafford. This also comes after the former Real Madrid man missed from the spot against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup, which was a game that we eventually lost on penalties after yet again one more 1-1 draw in normal time.
No worries about Ronaldo
Ronaldo’s goal drought will take the headlines, but Rangnick will be more worried about his team’s inability to see out games. United seem to have picked up a habit of drawing games in recent times, unable to solidify their hard-earned leads.
When quizzed about Ronaldo’s recent form, the German head coach dismissed these questions and said that he would only be concerned if Man United were struggling to create chances. The Red Devils created plenty of chances in the first half, but could not add to their goal tally in the second half.
“HE HAD GOOD MOMENTS IN THE SECOND-HALF. IT’S NOT ONLY CRISTIANO, AS A TEAM WE CREATE ENOUGH CHANCES, I WOULD BE MORE WORRIED IF WE HAD ONE OR TWO, OR MAYBE THREE CHANCES PER GAME.”
It wasn’t just Ronaldo who failed to capitalise on a chance to give United a win, but also captain Harry Maguire, who saw his header from close range pushed away by the Southampton keeper in the second half. United tailed off after taking the lead, and could not add to their lead to take the game away from the Saints.
Ronaldo’s goalscoring drought may not concern the manager at the moment, but if United are to fight for a top-four spot and ensure they play Champions League football next season, they will need their Portuguese forward to find his scoring boots once again.
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United’s latest draw saw them miss another chance to claim a UCL spot at the end of the campaign. There seem to be quite a few contenders for fourth spot in the Premier League table, and the Manchester club are doing themselves no favours by dropping crucial points, especially at home.
With a midweek game against Brighton coming up quickly, Ronaldo will be looking to rediscover his scoring touch against the Seagulls, and help United climb up the table. Graham Potter’s side, however, are high-flyers in the league this season, so Ronaldo will need to dig deep and come up with something special to condemn the opposition to a defeat.
