Man Utd stars slammed as Cristiano Ronaldo "tell-tale signs" raised after Brighton rout

At one point in Manchester United’s season, there was an argument that Cristiano Ronaldo could no longer cut it in the frontline. That has been quickly quashed by the Red Devils’ plight — and now they are the ones who may struggle to hold onto their star man.

The 37-year-old had been singled out as a problem area for the club as his inability to press contradicted Ralf Rangnick’s coaching style. Similarly, when his goalscoring form fell off the grid for a period of 10 games where he scored just once, it felt like he was being hoisted up by his team-mates.

How things change. The Portuguese superstar has gone on to score 24 goals in all competitions in 38 appearances, with another three assists for his team-mates, to become the leading light in an otherwise bleak season. Hat-tricks against Tottenham and Norwich came at pivotal moments but United have ultimately fallen so far short of expectations.

Saturday's humiliating 4-0 defeat at Brighton capped everything that is currently wrong with the squad. They were not just outfought by the hosts, the Seagulls played the better football and created more chances. The reality is that Graham Potter’s side are better equipped than the out-of-sorts muddle that Rangnick is struggling to hold together.

Bruno Fernandes summarised the issues within the dressing room, conceding Brighton “had more desire than us”. Such an admission is criminal in football because it points to players not trying hard enough, which should be a prerequisite given the millions that the players take home every week.

That defeat has left United on the brink of missing out on the Europa League next season, with Champions League football mathematically beyond their reach. It is going to be their