Cristiano Ronaldo has started strongly at Manchester United already. In two Premier League games he has three goals, and arguably it should be more.
Figures show Ronaldo is already leading the Premier League in two statistical categories.
Ronaldo has had more shots per game (average 6.5) and more shots on target per game (average 3.5) than any other player in the division.
These attempts have all come from open play. Closest to Ronaldo in Shots per 90 is Sadio Mane of Liverpool, who is averaging 5.0.
Nearest to Ronaldo in Shots on target per 90 is Leeds’ Mateusz Klich (2.43) – stats per FBRef.
Ronaldo’s impact is sustainable
Ronaldo is already just one goal off being the Premier League’s top scorer with three, behind three players including Bruno Fernandes on four.
Normally when a player features for just two matches and leads average statistical categories like this it is seen as an anomaly.
His numbers at Juventus last season show Ronaldo’s impact in this area is sustainable.
Ronaldo led Serie A last season with an average of 5.2 shots per 90.
He finished third in Serie A with an average of 1.93 shots on target per 90, behind just Luis Muriel of Atalanta and AC Milan’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Ronaldo ended up as Serie A’s top goalscorer with 29 Serie A goals, with Romelu Lukaku closest on 24.
He’s here to take over again
Ronaldo is not just in the Premier League for a vacation, to enjoy a hero’s welcome.
He joined Manchester United because he wants to win, and he felt United gave him a better shot to do so than Juventus.
Even at the age of 36, Ronaldo’s desire to score goals and win games is insatiable. He has an incredible focus on succeeding.
Ronaldo can get sharper too, as he readjusts to the Premier League, and as he learns to get in tune with his teammate.
His movement inside the penalty box is elite and already, United look a better team for having him in the side.
- Harry Maguire says he knows why Trevoh Chalobah has been called up for England ahead of him and Luke Shaw
- One Manchester United player ‘liked’ Ruben Amorim’s AC Milan announcement
- Lisandro Martinez sends ‘crazy’ message to Lionel Messi after Argentina hattrick, Man Utd target replies
- Tom Heaton explains what was ‘impressive’ about Senne Lammens from day one
- Bayer Leverkusen agree £27m deal for Man Utd target Afonso Moreira
- Thomas Tuchel explains why Trevoh Chalobah was picked over Luke Shaw for England replacement
- Argentine press react to Lisandro Martinez’s World Cup performance as Argentina win 3-0 vs Algeria
- Ruben Amorim could sign two players for AC Milan that give him what he didn’t get at Man Utd
- Matthijs de Ligt pictured doing fitness work for first time since surgery on his summer vacation
- Matheus Cunha breaks his silence on Casemiro’s Man Utd exit
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
