Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo has been criticised for a goalless display in their 3-2 Europa League victory against Omonia Nicosia on Thursday.
The 37-year-old was handed a start by manager Erik ten Hag at GSP Stadium after sitting on the bench in the 6-3 Premier League derby demolition against Manchester City last Sunday.
The Dutch tactician played Ronaldo as a lone striker with Jadon Sancho, Bruno Fernandes and Brazilian Anthony playing behind him.
However, a double from substitute Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, who also came on, gave the Red Devils the Group E win after trailing 1-0 at half-time.
The performance of Ronaldo, who assisted Rashford's opener and missed two clear-cut chances, has elicited debate amongst African supporters on social media, with a section claiming the Portuguese player deserved a goal against the Cypriot outfit.
I think they have to put the ball on the goalline for him to push it into the poles before he can score. He should stay on the bench till he leaves. Man United could've score seven goals if he didn't play. Players tried everything for him to score but he wasted all chances. Ronaldo is FINISHED! - Alexander D'Great
Ronaldo is a finished product - Sagacity Mishael Onyedika
I admit it today for the first time - My idol is finished! 😥 - Legend Abdoul
Lol they did everything for him to score but he did not 🥴🥴🥴😂 Totally finished 🥴🥴 abeg make him retire 🥴😂 He owes football nothing 🥴🥴🥴😏 - Future King
He really tried, he seems unlucky, it can happen to anyone, but he will surely come back to his scoring form. At least he was able to create an assist for the last goal. - Collins Okechukwu
His performance today [Thursday] was outstanding. Just so unlucky to have a goal today but was able to make an assist. He's still very fit. - Blameless Uwumagbe
Ronaldo did everything right today [Thursday]. Even as a Messi fan, you have to admit that. It's just one of those days the goals just don't come - Quame Baron Uhtred
Cr7 is aware age has caught up with him but he is afraid to leave now, seeing that there's no one to fit in his shoes & continue with his great achievement. - Owahlo Lucio
Abeg, make he go rest. He's trying his best but no the body is not getting any more younger. - Mulero Abidemi Ezekiel
He is embarrassing himself, he made history, now he is destroying it. Poor Ronaldo, retire my boy. - Ganizani Kachingwe
He’s just finished with his career. Time to say goodbye - Nana Kwame Ankomah
He should retire. His main days are over 😢 - SwiftMedia Naija
Benchnaldo is a finished player, he needs to retire now. How can YOU miss to score from such a position? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 - Homiie El Chappo
Banter Aside, Cristiano Ronaldo is passing through a lot. If you are a real football fan, you will be able to tell in his style of play. Man can't even Jump anymore or run after ball aggressively anymore. This is not about age. If you ask me, i think this is depression 🥺 #CR7 - @iam_Kingbuchi
Cristiano Ronaldo has lost confidence and power these days. He’s depressed but I hope he will be back 🔜#CR7𓃵- @YKamakei
I think people forget that this Ronaldo lost his son. Which has a big psychological effect on any one #CR7 - @Kulani_SA
My friend, did you watch the game? Dude had lots of easy chances to score but just couldn’t. Don’t use the stats to make it look like he played well but was just not lucky. He simply was very very poor full stop! - Ben Meniscus
The way media has gone after CR7 cos he is having a difficult time has been embarrassing and unprofessional. They cant even hide their bias. It’s ridiculous. Messi didn’t even get hounded like this last year when he wasn’t doing too well. CR7 has achieved too much to deserve this. - @WillieWinehouse
I have come to prove no matter what you do in this life, you will never be able to please people. I mean after all what Cristiano Ronaldo did, people are still making fun of him for not scoring. OMG what's wrong with us Human?? This man deserves all the respect. - @NurdeenMaldeen
Most of the critic's of the GOAT where still in diapers when he stepped up to the pitch, now he's 37 and his work rate is 10 times bigger. People should give him the respect he deserves. - @rizkah07
I stand with you Cristiano Ronaldo my greatest of all time. So unlucky today [Thursday]. The sun will shine again #CR7. - @AdidasAdido
Some of us ain't giving up on you at all. No matter how rough the season becomes, we right here with you. #CR7 - @Macvey4
#CR7𓃵 forever my GOAT. The comeback will be deadly I know. Sending hugs and positive energy 🤗 - @banda_santika
It's okay. He will score next time. Ronaldo ain't shy of scoring. We all in one way or another enjoyed his brilliance! - @nyange_gs
Goal drought sometimes happens to the best of striking footballers. Soon he will get back to scoring ways! - Mathew Oyeniyi
He’ll get back to his best... he experienced same difficulties during his start with Juventus and guess who went ahead to smash records. - @IkeaElvis
Copyright © 2023 Goal (Saudi Arabia English) All rights reserved. The information contained in Goal (Saudi Arabia English) may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without the prior written authority of Goal (Saudi Arabia English)