Krishnan Sreekumar
Interim manager Ralf Rangnick to start forward Cristiano Ronaldo in Sunday’s Manchester derby despite poor form
According to The Sun, Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick is set to start forward Cristiano Ronaldo against Manchester City on Sunday for the derby, despite the striker’s poor form in recent games.
Ronaldo returned to Old Trafford for a second spell the previous summer amidst much fanfare, and the forward started life brilliantly as he scored a brace on his debut against Newcastle United.
However, he has not been able to keep up his same form since, as he looks short of confidence and is struggling in front of goal, lacking his usual killer instincts to find the back of the net.
While 2021 saw the former Real Madrid star score goals for fun and help his current side reach the knockout stages of the Champions League due to his crucial (and often) last-minute goals, 2022 has only brought disappointment so far.
Revitalised at the weekend
The forward has now scored just 1 goal from his last 10 games, with the ex-Juventus star often looking frustrated on the pitch. Whether this is down to his own form or it is aimed at his teammates for not helping him out remains a mystery.
Rangnick will hope that the 37-year-old will return revitalised on Sunday for the Manchester derby, given that the superstar has earned a week’s rest as United have not had to play a game in the FA Cup this week as they were knocked out of the competition last month.
United fans will be hurting to see Ronaldo in this state, as they are used to expecting goals and trickery from their forward. The Portugal skipper was exceptional in his first spell with the club, helping the Manchester side win multiple trophies as he himself won a Ballon D’Or for his outstanding performances.
Age may be a factor for his poor form of late, but he has shown that he is still physically at his best by starting nearly every game of the season. It could very well be an issue with his confidence, which needs a reminder of how good the player actually is.
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Often, all it takes is one goal for a striker to rediscover their scoring touch, and Rangnick may be thinking the same. A goal against City at the Etihad Stadium may just restart Ronaldo’s appetite for goals, as we look forward to ending the season strongly.
The Portugal international’s quality can never be doubted, as he has shown time and again that he is only fueled by haters and critics. Hopefully, we see a different and well-rested Ronaldo on Sunday as we chase a top-four finish by the end of the season.
