Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has responded to Cristiano Ronaldo’s big criticizes. Ronaldo’s first season back at Manchester United was a disappointment, as his team only managed to finish sixth.
The Portuguese superstar had much higher expectations, but disappointments at Old Trafford have left him unhappy.
Ronaldo wasn’t in the best of form himself, but he still managed 24 goals in 39 games across all competitions. This makes him the squad’s best player in terms of goals scored in the league.
Despite this, the veteran has received some criticism due to his high standards from a long and successful career. And in an interview with the Mirror, a former teammate of his, Evra, responded angrily.
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He said:
“Cristiano, it’s not a question. Can we leave this guy alone? He’s got 18 goals. Where would we be if Cristiano wasn’t in this squad? That’s why when people talk about him, I’m like, ‘those people are not in peace with themselves or they are jealous’. It’s so crazy, I don’t even want to answer that question anymore because I’ve answered it so many times.”
“I will give you one thing- put Cristiano Ronaldo in the Manchester City, Liverpool, or Chelsea team. But put one of their best players – put Mo Salah in United, and he will struggle like every player. And they say it’s because he’s my friend or whatever.”
“No. I’m in love with his work ethic, with his professionalism. He’s 37. This guy, even at 40, will still score goals. And he’s here for that, that’s what people want from him. So, that’s why when people ask me about Cristiano, sometimes I just don’t wanna answer anymore because he’s proved so many times – hat-tricks or whatever.”
“And the funny part is when people say he doesn’t defend. When he won the Ballon d’Or in 2008, Cristiano’s best quality was not to defend. So let’s talk about what he’s good at, and what he’s good at is to score goals.”
Ronaldo has, of course, scored more goals than the rest of his teammates, and he has surely contributed to a difficult season. However, after his tenure at Juventus, there was speculation that Juventus would struggle to develop a successful team due to his presence and the reliance placed on him.
With time, there will undoubtedly be more questions along these lines at United. However, Erik Ten Hag has put on his confidence in the Portuguese striker as he wants great players around him.
It can be seen that it’s not the over-reliance here but the other players fail to step up leaving him as the only name on the scoresheet. Ronaldo, himself will be happy if he gets to see new names on the scoresheet next season.
