Ronaldo running out of lives as effect on Manchester United games dwindles

Ronaldo returned to Manchester United in the close season to much fanfare, promising to restore the Premier League titans to former glories, but, six months on, the veteran's influence is dwindling as his club's stock falls. It all started so well for the Portuguese veteran after completing a dream return to the club where he won eight major trophies from 2003-2009. Crucial, late goals in the Champions League at Old Trafford against Atalanta and Villarreal immediately got his adoring fans dreaming of a United renaissance, as he showed no sign of his 37 years having any effect at all.

The goals have, however, dried up. Ronaldo has now failed to score in any of his last six appearances in all competitions. The last time he had a longer spell without a goal at club level was a run of seven games in December 2008 and January 2009.

When he fails to find the net, the Champions League's all-time top goalscorer does not offer much else, given his lack of willingness to press defenders, under a manager famed for his penchant for high intensity defending high up the pitch. It was Groundhog Day for United fans against Southampton in the league on Saturday as they started brightly, creating plenty of chances, just as they had in their two previous games against Middlesbrough and Burnley, but then lost their touch. Jadon Sancho found the net midway through the first half, but further missed chances again proved costly as Southampton snatched a 1-1 draw.