Cristiano Ronaldo’s Man Utd stats this season as yellow cards almost match goals

Manchester United fans thought their prayers were answered as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer managed to lure Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford more, 12 years after he departed for the capital of Spain, as he joined Real Madrid for a then world-record fee of £80 million.

After dominating Spain, and conquering Italy, picking up four Champions League’s along the way and scoring over 500 goals, he returned to Manchester.

Fans of the red half of Manchester thought their recent woes in front of goal would end, and their pursuit of their first Premier League post Sir Alex Ferguson could commence, hopeful Ronaldo could begin a fruitful relationship with fellow Portuguese teammate Bruno Fernandes.

It can be debated that Ronaldo perhaps hasn’t the impact United fans thought he would, and after picking up a yellow card against Newcastle during his side’s 1-1 draw at struggling Newcastle United. He now has just one more open play goal than he does yellow cards in the Premier League.

Ronaldo’s stats in the Premier League this season

Appearances: 14

Goals: 7

Penalty goals: 2

Non-penalty goals: 5

Assists: 2

Shots per 90: 3.86

Expected goals (xG): 8.52

Expected assists (xA): 1.46

Yellow cards: 4

That’s a yellow card almost every 3 games, and some argue he should’ve been sent off for his tackle on former Bournemouth winger Ryan Fraser which only got the striker a yellow.

Fairly underwhelming stats for a player who’s scored the most goals in football history? You could argue that. His goal return every season since 2008/2009 (his last season before he left for Real Madrid) have been a lot better.

Ronaldo stats in the Champions League

Dubbed ‘Mr Champions League’ due to scoring the most goals in the competition, and securing five Champions Leagues during his illustrious career, the Portuguese seems to come alive on the continent.

In the Champions League so far this season, Ronaldo has:

Games played: 5

Goals scored: 6

Yellow cards: 1

It’s important to remember the context of the goals, many have been game saving. He scored both goals as United drew away to Italian side Atalanta (including a 91st minute equaliser), an 81st minute winner against Atalanta in the return fixture and opened the scoring against Villareal before Jadon Sancho secured all three points.