When Cristiano Ronaldo finally scored from a headed goal against their fiercest rivals Liverpool, he might have put to rest the millions of questions which hung over his ability to perform at the top level. Big matches do not come any bigger than Manchester United against Liverpool. There had been intense focus on the Portuguese's temperament and ability to play well against teams like Liverpool and Chelsea, while he has never left that a doubt against teams of smaller stature. Before Sunday's game against Liverpool, Ronaldo had only one goal to his name against the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and the Anfield team. With statistics like that, it was no wonder many in the game wondered if he was limited in ability and was not just a pub team bully in the English game.
However, watching the past games against the same teams, you would notice how Ronaldo's movement and pace have been critical despite a seeming lack of involvement.
The young winger is often heavily marked by Manchester United's rivals, due in part to the threat he poses. As a result of such close marking, he inadvertently creates space for his teammates and the team as a whole. Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes, and even the defenders have profited from such space with goals in games where Ronaldo might not have had his shooting boots on. The first goal against Liverpool proved this point as once again the Liverpool defenders failed to pick up Wes Brown and the defender promptly added a rare goal to his collection. The same situations are also commonly seen in teams where one particular player received special attention from the opponent.
Cristiano Ronaldo has carved out a reputation as a goalscorer this season, but has not been given enough credit for his ability to pull opposing defenders away from his teammates which has direct impact on Manchester United's rise to the top of the English Premier League. While Alex Ferguson would have been even more delighted had his young protege been able to find the net even during such occasions, he would be pleased with the indirect contribution from the Portuguese wing wizard in other ways. Ronaldo is a danger both with and without the ball at his feet, and for all Manchester United's rivals, that would always pose a problem in every game they play against the Old Trafford team.
