Manchester United: The problem with the Ronaldo phenomenon

Alex Ferguson coached Manchester United for 27 years.

In the course of this time, a term became established in parlance:

.

When his team still needed a goal, the referee often let play a little longer.

And it is not uncommon for Manchester United to score a goal in this somewhat more generous stoppage time and thus save a draw or even come to a victory.

Alex "Fergie" Ferguson was jubilant, United won titles, the opponents were raging.

There have been studies that have shown this effect to be particularly significant in Manchester United games.

Tobias Rabe

Responsible editor for Sport Online.

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Ferguson liked to tap his watch during the crucial phase. Whether the coach really subconsciously influenced the referees at the time and made the opponents nervous cannot really be proven. But as a legend of a special time in Old Trafford, the story is definitely worth it. In the heyday of the Ferguson era in Manchester, a young Portuguese also contributed to the fact that the club was so successful - and, if necessary, only shortly before. In 2003 Ferguson discovered Cristiano Ronaldo in a friendly in Portugal and quickly made the deal clear.

Until 2009, when Ronaldo joined Real Madrid, they did very well together.

Ferguson retired as a club legend in 2013, Ronaldo had a world career in the final phase of which their paths cross again.

Sir Alex only watches the games from his place of honor in the stands, but he is still very well connected and influential in the club.

And so he picked up the phone in the summer when he heard that Ronaldo wanted to leave Juventus Turin and was on his way to Manchester - albeit to the newly rich and unpopular city rivals City.

Ronaldo: twelve games, nine goals

A conversation later, Ronaldo had changed his mind and was hired again at United. And the return of the star is a success - at least at first glance. The news sparked great enthusiasm among most fans. And the football world is looking again at Manchester United Football Club, which no longer became English champions after Ferguson left. The biggest success since then was the title in the second-rate Europa League under José Mourinho in 2017. But now everything should be different - better - because a goal machine like Ronaldo actually guarantees success.

The personal balance sheet can be seen almost two months after his first game in September: twelve games, nine goals - for someone who will soon be 37 years old, these are outstanding figures. And they were mostly important hits, especially in the Champions League. The goal in Bern at 1: 2 was only cosmetic, but the 2: 1 against Villarreal in the 96th minute provided the first win, in the first leg against Bergamo Ronaldo's 3: 2 meant three points in the final phase, on Tuesday evening in the second duel in Italy he scored both goals at 2-2 - the second in

.

This means that Manchester remains first in the group with seven points in the premier class ahead of Villarreal (seven), Bergamo (five) and Bern (three). It's easy to calculate how much worse things would be if Ronaldo hadn't scored his five goals. "I'm so happy," he said after the game at Atalanta. “We never gave up and believed in it to the end. It's a good result for us. ”The controversial Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was also happy. "Cristiano is amazing, he just keeps getting better and better," said the BT Sports coach. "He is our leader."

In 180 games in the premier class, Ronaldo has scored 139 goals so far. And Manchester United are happy to have it. But this is exactly where a problem comes in that is not new. Already at Real Madrid and Juventus Turin, the exceptional talent was the player who outshone everything. Because of his egocentricity, but also because of his almost unmatched performance. When he left these clubs, he left a large void, some of which has not yet been closed. The focus on one player is nice when successful, but sometimes has unpleasant consequences if he is not on the field.

In the English Premier League, Manchester United are fifth, after ten games already eight points behind leaders Chelsea. Coach Solskjaer is under criticism, not only since the 0: 5 against arch rivals Liverpool one and a half weeks ago. The Norwegian is accused of lack of plan. Looking at some games and results one could say: The first option is Ronaldo. There really isn't a plan B. The chances of success are there in individual cases, but in the long run it will not be enough. And on Saturday (1.30 p.m. on Sky) the next tricky test is waiting: City rival City is coming.

Another home defeat, maybe a significant one, and things could be close for Solskjaer.

He doesn't want to give up, relies tirelessly on the Ronaldo factor and makes comparisons: “He always creates these special moments.

I'm sure that the Chicago Bulls didn't mind having Michael Jordan on the team either. ”Certainly not, but the Bulls also noticed when Jordan was no longer there what the consequences would be.

Ronaldo is of the same importance.

He won't play forever, he won't score forever.

The

expires sometime.