Football writer and journalist, Jonathan Wilson, has stated that Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United, coupled with some ineptitude on the part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, are the major reason the club is struggling to perform well this season.

United are sixth in the Premier League, after eleven games, nine points behind leaders, Chelsea, who we play in a matter of weeks.

This comes amid a string of underwhelming results in both the league and Champions League, including a 4-2 loss to Leicester City, a 5-0 loss to Liverpool, and a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City.

United’s defence has particularly been suspect this term, which is alarming for a team that performed well against the top six last season.

And while reacting to the problems facing United lately, Guardian journalist, Wilson said signing Ronaldo hasn’t had the effect many would have expected.

He said, “Last season, Man United kept five clean sheets in the six league games against Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool.

“So what has changed? Why have Man United let in seven goals in two home games in a fortnight against Liverpool and Man City while being embarrassingly outclassed? The answer is obvious: Cristiano Ronaldo.

“A player signed at the urging of Sir Alex Ferguson and former players. Yes, he scores goals. Yes, he rescues results against the 13th-best team in Spain and the fifth-best team in Italy and punishes the likes of Newcastle and Tottenham.

“Ronaldo has no doubt been a major boost to the burgeoning Man United heritage industry. But are the glory days even remotely close to returning? Not with these players, not with this manager, not with this board.”