5 reasons why Manchester United should use Cristiano Ronaldo as an impact substitute

Manchester United v Villarreal CF: Group F - UEFA Champions League
Manchester United v Villarreal CF: Group F - UEFA Champions League

#3 Mason Greenwood can flourish better

Manchester United v Liverpool: The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round
Manchester United v Liverpool: The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round

Although Mason Greenwood has played majorly on the flanks for Manchester United in his short career so far, it's in the central areas that he brings out his best. But Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival has limited the areas that Greenwood can take up.

Ronaldo's lack of pressing also adds to Greenwood's work profile, further limiting the 20-year-old's moevement in his preferred areas. With Cavani, however, Greenwood gets all the freedom to take up areas from where he can maximize his output.

So if Greenwood is stationed alongside Cavani in a Manchester United eleven, chances are that he will bring out more of his best than he can with Cristiano Ronaldo.


#2 Cristiano Ronaldo isn't mobile enough for Manchester United

Manchester United v Atalanta: Group F - UEFA Champions League
Manchester United v Atalanta: Group F - UEFA Champions League

Cristiano Ronaldo was the worst at pressing among all forwards who had played more than 270 minutes in the ongoing Premier League season at the start of the month. The 36-year-old had made 2.7 pressures per 90 minutes, which is way below the second-worst on the list - Newcastle United's Allan Saint-Maximin with 5.2.

Ronaldo's lack of movement and pressing forces the other Manchester United attackers to mop up for the Portuguese, creating gaps for the opponents to exploit.

Bruno Fernandes, who plays right behind Cristiano Ronaldo in the 4-2-3-1 set up that Solskjaer employs, is often caught covering for his compatriot. Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood, who have been the manager's first-choice players on the flanks, have also been forced to make extra runs to make up for Ronaldo's lack of it.


#1 Edinson Cavani better suited to Manchester United's style of play

Manchester United v Villarreal CF: Group F - UEFA Champions League
Manchester United v Villarreal CF: Group F - UEFA Champions League

Edinson Cavani's game time was sure to reduce drastically as Cristiano Ronaldo joined Manchester United. Coupled with injury issues, Cavani has so far made just six appearances for United this season, playing a mere 171 minutes.

However, his impact and ability to press high makes him an important player for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Cavani's drive to press deep was well-documented in Manchester United's last-gasp UEFA Champions League win over Villarreal. It was the Uruguayan who did all the hard work as Ronaldo stole the plaudits for the winner.

Cavani's returns since joining Manchester United in 2020 have been impressive too. In 45 appearances, most of them as a substitute, he has scored 17 goals and provided six assists.

Cavani's movement and the positions he can occupy allows the side's attacking midfielders Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba more space. Whereas Cristiano Ronaldo's lack of movement and industry has hampered United recently, highlighting how Cavani is better-suited to Manchester United's style of play.

The Portuguese can therefore be used as an impact substitute by the Manchester United manager while Cavani takes the starting role.

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Edited by Nived Zenith
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