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Soccer Football – Premier League – Manchester United v Manchester City – Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain – November 6, 2021 Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo reacts REUTERS/Craig Brough EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
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Soccer Football – Premier League – Manchester United v Manchester City – Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain – November 6, 2021 Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo reacts REUTERS/Craig Brough EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
After having a great first spell at Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo left the Red Devils after the 2008-09 season. But last year, he surprised everyone by signing for Man United once again.
Ronaldo’s arrival brought a massive smile to the faces of several United fans. But the return did not go as planned till now.
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Even though CR7 is currently United’s top goalscorer this season, he had failed to perform according to his high standards.
Ronaldo has been playing in the number 9 role for Man United this season. And in many games, the Portuguese had absolutely no impact on the game playing in that role.
Ahead of United’s game against Norwich City, Manchester United fans called for a change in Ronaldo’s position on the field following a training video post from the Red Devils on social media.
In the video, Cristiano Ronaldo is seen doing his trademark stepover from the left side.
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It looked like this moment made fans nostalgic as they now want Ronaldo to play on the wings rather than being a number 9.
https://twitter.com/DaddyChuky/status/1514521044111048707?s=20&t=yMDiNLpzyqVd4Me96q_5CQ
Vintage Always
— Hosea (@Real_Bucho) April 14, 2022
Play him as LWF
— Victor Ponle (@VPonle) April 14, 2022
https://twitter.com/sammah_anwar/status/1514560370068889604?s=20&t=3nfSeAGXCm0VsJT8xjErPg
Play him on the fcking Wing or play him with another striker
— 𝙁 (@issameTorpe) April 14, 2022
The Manchester United fans saw a lot of these stepovers from the Portuguese during his first spell at the club.
During his first spell at United, Ronaldo played as a winger in most games. Even during his time at Real Madrid, Karim Benzema played the number 9 role, mostly. And Ronaldo played from the left side.
Why is Cristiano Ronaldo playing as a number 9 rather than a winger?
Well, only the managers can say the exact reason behind this. But here is one reason why Ronaldo is playing as a centre forward for Man United.
Edinson Cavani had hardly been in action for the Red Devils because of his injury problems. Cavani’s absence means there are no more traditional centre forwards in United’s current squad.
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Soccer Football – Champions League – Group F – Atalanta v Manchester United – Stadio Atleti Azzurri, Bergamo, Italy – November 2, 2021 Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after the match REUTERS/Alberto Lingria
Both Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford like to operate from the wings. With Martial now on loan to Sevilla and Rashford currently not in good form, Ronaldo is playing the number 9 role for Manchester United.
Had Edinson Cavani played regularly or had there been a traditional number 9 like Karim Benzema, fans might have got to see Ronaldo on the wings in some games.
Read More: PSG Look to Lure Cristiano Ronaldo Away From Manchester United to Form Dream Team With Lionel Messi
But with his experience and goal-scoring ability, the Portuguese international looks like the best option for the Red Devils in the number 9 role for now.
