A frankly bizarre statistic, highlighting just how badly Manchester United struggled to get star man Cristiano Ronaldo involved against Wolves, has come to the fore online this evening.
Moutinho on target
The Red Devils marked their return to Premier League action a short time ago.
After seeing top-4 chasing rivals West Ham United and Tottenham secure respective three-point hauls over the weekend, Ralf Rangnick and co. welcomed the aforementioned Wolves to Old Trafford, desperate for a victory of their own.
Upon the final whistle sounding on Monday, however, it is safe to say that United came up short…
A frankly dismal display over the course of the 90 minutes ultimately saw the evening’s hosts put to the sword by a goal to nil.
The game’s telling moment was forthcoming inside the closing ten minutes, as Phil Jones’ headed clearance was picked up on by Joao Moutinho, who went on to pick out the far corner of David de Gea’s net from the edge of the area:
THERE IT IS!!
Joao Moutinho picks out the bottom corner to put Wolves 1-0 up ?
? Watch #MUNWOL live on Sky Sports PL pic.twitter.com/b2KxFcVCVF
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 3, 2022
Ronaldo’s woes
Evidently, based on the eventual scoreline, Manchester United, throughout proceedings this evening, struggled to get the club’s key performers involved when it mattered most, with the likes of Jadon Sancho, Edinson Cavani and substitute Marcus Rashford having proven little more than passengers.
None, however, was likely left more frustrated by the flat nature of the Red Devils’ display against Wolves than star man Cristiano Ronaldo.
Afforded the honour of the captain’s armband in the absence of Harry Maguire, CR7 cut a frustrated figure at Old Trafford, not presented with a single opportunity of note over the course of the 90 minutes.
And, as alluded to above, on the back of the full-time whistle, a frankly alarming statistic has since aptly summed up the lack of impact made by the Portuguese icon in the attacking third.
As per Squawka, Ronaldo managed just three touches in the opposition box on Monday, the same number managed by Wolves defender Conor Coady at the other end:
Conor Coady had as many touches in the opposition box as Cristiano Ronaldo this evening (3). ? pic.twitter.com/WS8fxnwK04
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 3, 2022
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