Former English footballer Rio Ferdinand continues to defend Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo as he suggests the Red Devils player set on fire is likely struggling for fitness.
How was everything?
The Portuguese had another disappointing day in the office against Aston Villa on Sunday as Man Utd slipped to a 3-1 defeat in the West Midlands. Cristiano Ronaldo made headlines for all the wrong reasons at the start of the 2022-23 campaign, but Rio has been a staunch defender of his ex-teammate and believes the 37-year-old’s recent struggles are the result of his absence from preseason. Rio Ferdinand expects Ronaldo to return to his best form after starring for Portugal at the World Cup in Qatar.
What did Ferdinand say about Cristiano Ronaldo?
The former English player claimed on his YouTube channel that no one was hiding behind the glory over the weekend against Aston Villa. According to Rio Ferdinand, time will tell this season when they look at the end of the season in terms of goals and what Cristiano Ronaldo has done for the team. There are peaks and valleys throughout the season in terms of form.
According to Ferdinand, Ronaldo does not hit the net now, as they are used to seeing him. The Englishman says that Cristiano Ronaldo is probably also fighting for fitness now, if he goes to the World Cup and plays, he can return in a better condition than when he left.
A little about the topic
The Red Devils couldn’t count on Cristiano Ronaldo for goals and are now fifth in the Premier League table, three points ahead of the top four and 11 behind the leaders of the Gunners. Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag showed his confidence in the 37-year-old by naming him as a stand-in captain against the Villans, but Cristiano Ronaldo offered neither leadership nor inspiration for what was a dark day for Manchester United.