It is going from bad to worse at Manchester United, with a third consecutive 1-1 draw followed up by reports in Spain claiming that the relationship between star man Cristiano Ronaldo and interim boss Ralf Rangnick is damaged beyond repair.
Ronaldo missed a glorious chance in their most recent draw, and a penalty as the Red Devils crashed out of the FA Cup to Championship side Middlesbrough. It took his goal drought to six games, with the Portugal star yet to find the net in 2022.
On his longest goal drought since 2009, which also came in Manchester United red, it has seen his side slump in the Premier League. Although they currently sit in 5th place, 3 sides below them all have games in hand through which they could overtake Rangnick’s side before the end of the campaign, while United still have to travel away to Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool this campaign.
Six games without a goal ?
Cristiano Ronaldo’s worst drought since 2009. pic.twitter.com/Rd2twF4Pkm
— GOAL (@goal) February 12, 2022
Rangnick burning bridges?
And, according to Spanish outlet AS, faith between players and manager has broken down in recent weeks. ‘Ralf Rangnick, does not have the support of the heavyweights in the squad, with Cristiano at the helm’, the report claims.
It is an unhappy squad. Not just with results, but with external affairs. Jesse Lingard, who was expected to leave on loan in January, was forced to stay after the criminal investigation opened into Mason Greenwood was announced. Likewise, Dean Henderson has been left to rot on the Old Trafford bench.
Edinson Cavani, meanwhile, appears to be available only occasionally, leaving much of the burden on a now 37-year-old Ronaldo.
“I didn’t find it funny at all. I thought it was disrespectful. I thought it was disgusting in fact.”
Gary Neville assesses the current state at Manchester United and shares his views on the leaked reports of disharmony between the players and the coaching staff ?️ pic.twitter.com/6IY4DdcI09
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 14, 2022
If Ronaldo and Rangnick have indeed fallen out, there is little prospect of a disastrous season getting any better before May.
