by Former Manchester City defender Richard Dunne has slammed Manchester United’s players for pandering to Cristiano Ronaldo during their 3-2 win over Omonia Nicosia on Thursday night.
Erik ten Hag’s side had to come from behind to win in Cyprus, as two goals from Marcus Rashford and another from Anthony Martial in the second-half saw the Reds claim Europa League victory. Ronaldo was handed a familiar start in the European competition by his manager, yet the Portuguese international failed to impress once again.
Apart from a penalty against FC Sheriff, Ronaldo has not scored for United this season in an alarming downturn of form. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner squandered a golden opportunity to add to his tally in the 78th minute, after Diogo Dalot rounded the goalkeeper and squared the ball to an unmarked Ronaldo on the edge of the six yard box – somehow the ball cannoned back off the post with the goal gaping.
Ronaldo’s 700th goal in all competitions is still evading him, and Dunne has criticised the United players for what he saw as them going out of their way to try and get the former Real Madrid forward to score.
Dunne told Virgin Media Sport: “You’re watching it and you’re thinking ‘Is this his testimonial or what are they doing?’ You’re getting opportunities. You’re running around goalkeepers, and you’ve got a chance to shoot, but he tries to set up Ronaldo. It wasn’t his night anyway.
“There are so many occasions, you’re looking at Rashford who has scored two goals. You’ve got an opportunity for a hat-trick and you’re trying to set up Ronaldo? I don’t get it with Man United. They’re not that good, they’re not 4-0 or 5-0 up. They’re still trying to win a game.”
