The 9 Man Utd games Ronaldo has missed in 2021-22 & how they fared

Cristiano Ronaldo has been a crucial player for Manchester United this season, bailing out the side on more than one occasion.

But despite his incredibly impressive physical shape and fitness, the fact is that Ronaldo is 37 years old and United must be prepared to play without him if he picks up injuries.

We’ve gone back and looked at the nine United matches Ronaldo has missed this season to find out how they fared without him.

Opening day of the season at Old Trafford. Roses Derby victory. Raphael Varane revealed to the fans.

It couldn’t have been a more perfect day for United and it seemed as if it was going to be the first Premier League game of a brilliant season.

Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick while Mason Greenwood and Fred also scored with Paul Pogba providing four assists.

Putting the crown on a memorable opening day!

@B_Fernandes8's hat-trick strike v Leeds is our Goal of the Month for August #MUFC pic.twitter.com/IB3Dt8hKcr

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 6, 2021

The next match brought United back down to reality as they played out a difficult 1-1 draw on the South Coast against Southampton.

They needed Greenwood to score in the 55th minute to bail them out after Fred’s first-half own goal had seen United go in behind at the break.

Despite having 15 shots, only four of them were on target and Anthony Martial looked lacklustre leading the line.

Another difficult away match, but this time ending with all three points going back to Manchester.

This was the last game before Ronaldo returned to United and it was Greenwood who was entrusted with leading the line.

He once again bailed the team out, firing in the only goal of the game on the 80th-minute mark.

Yet again United only managed a low number of