Goal King Ronaldo

2007-08

Appearances
20 (1 as sub) (15 (1) in PL & 5 in CL)

Goals
18 (13 in PL & 5 in CL)

At this time last season Cristiano Ronaldo scored 12 goals all coming in the Premier League having made 19 league and 5 Champions League appearances so thats 12 goals in 24 games at New Years Day last season.

This time he has bagged 18 goals, becoming the league's top scorer on 13 and also the Champions League's top scorer with 5 - this having played less games, 20 and 1 as a sub.

Many expected Ronaldo to struggle in reaching the goal scoring heights he did last season but he's proved them wrong like he has so many people throughout his relatively short footballing career.

Yet despite his remarkable goalscoring form this season some pundits and fans alike have come to the conclusion that Ronnie is below his high standards this year - "he's trying too much and he isn't performing to the heights he did last season" they say.

I beg to differ. Ronaldo could perform like this all season, all of his United career and I'd be nothing but pleased with him. How many strikers could boast a goalscoring record like his this season?

What I think has changed this season is the team rather than the player. Ronaldo is still beating players like they aren't there, still pulling skill out of the top drawer, he's still getting all the fans on the edge of their seats - in other words he is still that boy Ronaldo.

United have brought in Nani, Anderson and Tevez in the attacking departments - two of those players have been superb, the other coming off the bench every now and then and showing glimpses of fantastic potential.

All in all, United now have more players that are grabbing the headlines and taking the spotlight off Ronaldo, unlike last season where it was just Scholes, Ronaldo and Rooney.

Even the defenders, Evra & Ferdinand have come in for huge praise this season. Anderson has bossed the midfields of Arsenal and Liverpool this season. The partnership of Rooney and Tevez.

United, this season, have players all over the park getting in the spotlight and it's excellent news for the club. Ronaldo has improved in fact, he's more of a team player, more clinical and even more skilful - his goal record is just one bonus we get to benefit.

He has matured a lot, he's bringing in the young foreign lads Anderson & Nani and making them feel at home.

Basically what we are seeing is Ronaldo the man, the maturing player and it's refreshing to see.

From the young boy, the unknown 'one trick pony' we saw make his debut against Bolton to the man and the player we now have, who is still improving - it's great to see and Ronaldo is just the image of the club that we are at the moment.

Full of youth, vibrance, skill, potential, energy and the hunger for success, all maturing together and with the world at their feet.

That boy Ronaldo hasn't taken a step back, in fact he's improved this season we've just got an even better team and it certaintly is exciting times to be a Manchester United fan.