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Numbers Game: Seventeen reasons Manchester United don't miss Cristiano Ronaldo, but one reason why they might
Winger's absence hasn't been felt in goal tally, but his shadow still looms
8 Feb 2010 14:50:00
By Matt Monaghan | Manchester United correspondent
Manchester United have proved there is life after Cristiano Ronaldo by firing home almost a third as many Premier League goals at this stage of the season as they did in the corresponding time last term.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s charges are 17 strikes ahead of their total at the 25-match mark last term. The goal drought forecasted upon the Portuguese’s £80 million move to Real Madrid has instead turned out to be a flood.
United currently have scored 61 times, conceded 20 and boast a goal difference of plus 41. At this point in the Premier League title-winning campaign 12 months ago just 44 goals had been scored, with a miserly 10 let in, producing a goal difference of plus-34.
Portsmouth were the latest side put to the sword by the free-scoring Red Devils. Although the weekend’s 5-0 victory owed much to three own goals, the south coast outfit had no answer to the host’s rampant attack.
Wayne Rooney has snatched Ronaldo’s baton with aplomb. United’s new talisman headed home the first against Pompey and now sits on an impressive 21 league goals.
Life was not meant to be this pleasant at Old Trafford any more. Ronaldo’s ascent to World Player of the Year had driven United to three successive league titles and placed his team-mates firmly in his shadow.
He was the type of unstoppable force not seen at the Theatre of Dreams since George Best’s heyday 40 years ago. Free kicks, penalty kicks, long-distance firecrackers, tap-ins and crushing counter attacks were all part of a repertoire that was not expected to be replicated in volume by perennial understudy Rooney.
Amidst the euphoria of Rooney’s transformation into a consistently world-class performer, a crack has emerged in United’s armoury.
While Ronaldo previously stole the headlines, he was still capably flanked by Rooney and Carlos Tevez. If he had a rare off-day, the pair could fill in and ensure the victory.
Compared to the disappointment of Michael Owen’s contribution and the slow-burn approach favoured by Berbatov, the support cast is not up to the same high standard. When Rooney has underwhelmed, such as in the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool, Ferguson has been left wanting in his search for a player to step up.
A devastating injury crisis at the heart of the Scot’s centre-back ranks has also hampered United’s bid to claim a record-breaking fourth consecutive league title. Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have only played together four times on domestic duty, with Wes Brown and Jonny Evans spending long spells on the sidelines.
But Manchester United have cancelled out their defensive frailties with free-scoring football. Whether a Ronaldo-less Manchester United could cope without Rooney if injury was to strike, however, is debatable.
Manchester United have proved there is life after Cristiano Ronaldo by firing home almost a third as many Premier League goals at this stage of the season as they did in the corresponding time last term.
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Sir Alex Ferguson’s charges are 17 strikes ahead of their total at the 25-match mark last term. The goal drought forecasted upon the Portuguese’s £80 million move to Real Madrid has instead turned out to be a flood.
United currently have scored 61 times, conceded 20 and boast a goal difference of plus 41. At this point in the Premier League title-winning campaign 12 months ago just 44 goals had been scored, with a miserly 10 let in, producing a goal difference of plus-34.
Portsmouth were the latest side put to the sword by the free-scoring Red Devils. Although the weekend’s 5-0 victory owed much to three own goals, the south coast outfit had no answer to the host’s rampant attack.
Wayne Rooney has snatched Ronaldo’s baton with aplomb. United’s new talisman headed home the first against Pompey and now sits on an impressive 21 league goals.
Life was not meant to be this pleasant at Old Trafford any more. Ronaldo’s ascent to World Player of the Year had driven United to three successive league titles and placed his team-mates firmly in his shadow.
He was the type of unstoppable force not seen at the Theatre of Dreams since George Best’s heyday 40 years ago. Free kicks, penalty kicks, long-distance firecrackers, tap-ins and crushing counter attacks were all part of a repertoire that was not expected to be replicated in volume by perennial understudy Rooney.
Roo-placement | Wayne is the main man for United
Instead, the Scouser has claimed the spotlight for himself. Whether the lone-man up top dismantling the threat of rivals Arsenal a week ago or in a criminally under-rated partnership with Dimitar Berbatov, he has delivered the goods to keep pace with table-toppers Chelsea.
While the goals have been flying in, not everything has improved. United have lost five games compared to two a year ago, which has left them three points and one position worse off.Amidst the euphoria of Rooney’s transformation into a consistently world-class performer, a crack has emerged in United’s armoury.
While Ronaldo previously stole the headlines, he was still capably flanked by Rooney and Carlos Tevez. If he had a rare off-day, the pair could fill in and ensure the victory.
Compared to the disappointment of Michael Owen’s contribution and the slow-burn approach favoured by Berbatov, the support cast is not up to the same high standard. When Rooney has underwhelmed, such as in the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool, Ferguson has been left wanting in his search for a player to step up.
A devastating injury crisis at the heart of the Scot’s centre-back ranks has also hampered United’s bid to claim a record-breaking fourth consecutive league title. Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have only played together four times on domestic duty, with Wes Brown and Jonny Evans spending long spells on the sidelines.
But Manchester United have cancelled out their defensive frailties with free-scoring football. Whether a Ronaldo-less Manchester United could cope without Rooney if injury was to strike, however, is debatable.
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
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