Cristiano Ronaldo's goals for Manchester United don't make up for the defensive strain he's putting them under

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has not seemed up to the task of adapting his team to Ronaldo's defensive shortcomings

We should probably start by stating the obvious, shouldn't we? Since Cristiano Ronaldo came back to Old Trafford, Manchester United have been woeful defensively.

The prodigal son is back, bringing with him a guarantee of goals. The issue is rather that they are flying in at both ends. It makes for drama and spectacle certainly. It is just that Sunday's 5-0 loss to Liverpool was a bit King Lear, Act II, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer cast to the winds having been abandoned by his charges.

Correlation does not equal causation but Ronaldo's arrival has coincided with a collapse in Manchester United's defensive efficacy. In the 26 Premier League games between the start of 2021 and his arrival opponents had tallied shots worth a combined 26.16 expected goals (xG). Against an average opponent, in an average match, Solskjaer's side were giving up a goal a game. Given the firepower they have at the other end that seemed inevitable.