The news shocked the whole world. Cristiano Ronaldothe all-time top scorer in professional football and Manchester United’s goal-scoring man, did not start in the England Classic once morest Liverpool.
Despite being called up, and although he did not suffer any physical setback, Erik ten Hag made the decision to send CR7 to the bench. The starting attackers were Anthony Elanga, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sanchos and, a little further back, Bruno Fernandes.
The deliberation was 100% technical and tactical. According to what the coach commented in the interview prior to the match, he put together his attack thinking of pressing Liverpool with rhythm, energy and consistency. For this reason, he considered that the best thing for the collective was to launch younger boys and save the Funchal monster.
WHY WAS CRISTIANO RONALDO NOT STARTED AGAINST LIVERPOOL?
“We know we need good pressure in their possession game because they are good and clear regarding it. One of the reasons is also to hurt them. We know we can break through this front of four. We can break and we can attack the back of their -defensive- line of four. They (the incumbents) have the capacity to do that. That’s the reason”were the words of the Dutch strategist in IN TV.
And his speech was held in front of the microphone of Sky Sports: “We know that Liverpool are a very good team in possession. You need to push them, you need to do it from a block, so we need a lot of energy. In transition you can beat them, that’s why we started with Rashford, Elanga and Sancho at the front”.
The XI was for the specific plan of this commitment, it does not mark anything for what is coming: “It is the team for this game, we have many games to cover. For this game, we thought it was best to make these changes. We can start with this XI, but it doesn’t say anything for the future.”
Undefeated data. Cristiano Ronaldo has only started 1 of 3 games played in the current Premier League. It was once morest Brentford. The followingnoon ended in a nightmare for the Old Trafford giant.
Did you know…? Cristiano Ronaldo still does not have his continuity guaranteed at Manchester United 2022/23. The bug I would be looking for a club that plays in the UEFA Champions League. There are less than 10 days left for the summer market to end.