Cristiano Ronaldo has been criticised for failing to show up for the big games, and some would say he did little to enhance that reputation today against Arsenal. In his four years at the club, his goal scoring highlights can be summed up with the goal during the derby day FA Cup tie in 2004, the two goals he got against Arsenal at Highbury in 2005, the two goals in the European Cup quarter-final against Roma in 2007, and the goal he scored against Milan in the semi-final, also in 2007. Not a lot to write home about really.
Whilst he can rip most teams apart, he can go AWOL against the bigger clubs, in the bigger games, which is as frustrating as it is disappointing. He often doesn’t release the ball when he should, he loses the ball in silly areas, and gives up possession too easily. His contribution to our title winning season was massive, priceless even, but where was he when we faced the difficult opposition?
Today, he had a bad game at the Emirates, and again disappointed. For the most part, he just wasn’t in the game, and was pushed off the ball far too easily. There were grumbles around the local when time and again he lost possession, and there seemed to be large chunks of the game where he just didn’t touch the ball.
But amidst the criticism, and the longing for him to play better, it could be quite easily forgotten that if it wasn’t for Cristiano Ronaldo today, we would have ended the day with nothing. It was his cross in to Rooney, after shrugging off the defender, that took is in to the lead, and his tap in which gave us the lead again. Whilst you’d imagine any player could have put the ball in the back of the net from there, it was Ronaldo’s footballing brain which lead him to the perfect spot in the area, away from the defenders, and free for Evra to pass to.
Yes, we do need more from Ronaldo in the big games, and yes, I would like to see him doing the business against Chelsea the way he would Bolton, but for now, a goal and an assist at the ground boasting the best record in the league this season, will do for me! 
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Yes he was terrible! Just one assist and one goal.
Hehe you’re a joke.
Greetings from Iceland.
Herbie, did you even read the article? I’m guessing not.
*sigh*
I wonder which game you were watching. I think he played quite well. It’s true that he hasn’t been able to deliver that well against the big sides but today I think he played very wisely and efficiently. He did lose some balls, but hey, which winger doesn’t! He disappeared sometimes but so did the whole United attack as Arsenal didn’t want to give up the ball. All in all, I think he had a great game. He beat the Arsenal defence a couple of times. In addition to the goal and assist I can recall the early chance when Ronaldo beat Clichy hands-down and made a great cross offering Giggs a great chance for goal at the back post.
Go Anderson; u rule. the best player in the world in 2 years time!!!
Its no good pretending that Ronnie had a great game. Although he did his usual brilliant things he was to blame for winning the ball and then immediately giving it away that led to the second equaliser. But lets remember his age. He will learn to deliver in the big games. I have watched United for 49 years now and he is potentially one of the very best.
i agree completely.
Showing up for big games seems to come naturally for some, with time for others. Ronaldo seems disheartened after losing the ball a couple of times but he has got to keep trying. Without his dribbles and runs, he doesn’t make the same impact on the game.
u fool,first anderson,now ronaldo,who else?if a player is not english,he can single handedly win u a match and u still abuse him.rubbish? a goal and an assist? ronaldo is the best player we have.in big games,they tight mark him.they are not stupid.it allows others to go but they dont.how about rooney?was he any better?
Yep, Scott, I hear you.
I too feel Ronnie disappears in big games. He did so during the away match in Milan and also against Chelski in the FA cup final last season (just to name a few games). Wazza, on the other hand, is made for games like these. Maybe Ronnie doesnt quite have that mental strength like Wazza. And btw, wat’s with always striking freekicks into the stupid wall? Its supposed to be over and dip into goal!!! can we appoint someone else for goodness sake!!!
You are an idiot.how about the last minute winner at fulham last season for a highlight?Away against lille last year, poor show old chap
Andy, since when have games against Fulham or Lille been “big games”? At no point have I denied that he’s scored crucial goals for us, and the goal against Fulham certainly was an important goal. That doesn’t make Fulham away a “big game” though, does it?
I’m not too sure what you’re referring to when you mention Lille away last year though? Giggs scored after Ronaldo had been subbed off with 25 minutes to go lol. Am I missing something? Regardless, Lille in the Round of 16 is also not a “big game”.
Don’t call me an idiot eh?
completely agree scott.
I thought he had a poor game yesterday.
Give credit where it is due he is our best player
In his first few seasons he attracted constant criticism for a lack of “end product” – nowadays, end product is what he’s all about.
I agree he played poorly but he was, more or less, involved in all of our most threatening moves. This, IMO, is the hallmark of a truly great player. Someone who is a match-winner, even when they’re not playing well.
His record in “big games” last season speaks for itself. I have every confidence that he will turn it on at the business end of this season too. Eevryone’s allowed a bad day at the office, if only everyone could be as productive as Ronaldo when they’re having that bad day!
I only think he should try to play his very best when he is playing big Games everyone in England knows Ronnie is the best…..Or if there is anyone better maybe the upcoming starlet(Anderson)… he needs some confidence in himself.and i think he should be ready for the task ahead of him when he is ready for the BigShowDown again…In two years time he should be the best playerin the world…….