Since he returned to Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo has been under some scrutiny. Not because of his performances offensively – the Portuguese scored seven goals in ten matches for the Red Devils this season, some of which were crucial in winning three points in both the Premier League and the Champions League.Criticism comes over his passivity when the ball is at the feet of rival teams. In particular, Ronaldo was a target of critics because he did not put pressure on the opposing defenders in United’s painful defeat against Liverpool ten days ago. The Reds took advantage of the disjointed pressing of the Red Devils, eventually trashing them with five goals.Proven title-winning boss Conte arrives to steady the ship at trophy-less TottenhamManchester United legend Rio Ferdinand defends his former teammate, claiming that Ronaldo is is definitely not the problem and not the only culprit for the disappointing performance.‘I’ve heard some talk and the only way I can explain it, is it’s blasphemy, when I heard some people talking about Ronaldo’s the reason why Man United aren’t going to be a success,’ Ferdinand said on his Vibe with FIVE YouTube channel.‘Ronaldo turning up at Man United and yeah it’s great but he’s going to be the reason why they don’t do anything.‘Listen, I’ve been seeing too much of it, don’t talk like that. Please, it’s a disgrace, absolute disrespect.’Three days ago, Ronaldo opened the scoring with a brilliant volley as United won 3-0 away at Tottenham. Followed by setting up Edinson Cavani for his team’s second.Ronaldo’s importance to United’s results, especially those positives ones is immense: the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has scored crucial winners in the Champions League against Atalanta and Villareal.Tue, 23.00: (3.25) ATALANTA (3.50) MAN UNITED (2.37)Ferdinand believes his former teammate should be judged on goals as they the right currency.‘A player that’s done what he’s done in the game, a superstar at any generation, he’ll be one of the best players in any generation you can think about,’ he continued. ‘And even again he just told people at the weekend what he’s about here […] pressure’s on he scores.‘To think that because he doesn’t press, because he doesn’t run as much as other people… that’s not what he’s there for.‘You play to people’s strengths sometimes, you can do that when you’ve got a superstar in your team sometimes for certain clubs.’
