Cristiano Ronaldo is ‘part of the problem’ at struggling Manchester United, according to former West Ham striker Carlton Cole.
The Portuguese forward missed a first-half penalty as the Red Devils were knocked out of the FA Cup fourth round by Middlesbrough at Old Trafford on Friday night, losing 8-7 on penalties in the shoot-out after the match finished 1-1 after extra time.
And Cole told Talksport that the 37-year-old veteran is showing a lack of leadership and the club have not progressed since signing him.
Cristiano Ronaldo (pictured) is ‘part of the problem’ at Manchester United, says Carlton Cole
The Portuguese forward missed a first-half penalty as the Red Devils were knocked out of the FA Cup fourth round by Championship Middlesbrough, who eventually won 8-7 on penalties
He said: ‘He scores a bag of goals, but was he the right thing for Man United? Was he the right thing for that team? The evidence shows, and not even just from tonight, but going on everything that has happened since he came in, Man United still have not gone to the next level.
‘I’m not saying it’s just Ronaldo’s fault… but he is part of the problem too. I don’t know whether he can lead by example anymore. He hasn’t got that tenacity. Where he used to be buzzing around the pitch, now he’s waiting, he’s goal-hanging because he’s trying to save his energy and score goals.
‘The younger Ronaldo would have obviously been bombing around the pitch and charging about, but now he’s got to depend on his teammates.
And former West Ham striker Cole claimed United have not progressed since signing Ronaldo
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‘He’s a leader in his own way, but he can only say so much to the players. They need someone who is going to show action as well. I was looking on that pitch for a leader, and I didn’t see one.’
Ronaldo had a golden chance to score when Paul Pogba was brought down inside the area, but he squandered the opportunity, dragging his effort wide of the left-hand post as Boro goalkeeper Joe Lumley dived the right way.
He later scored in the shoot-out, but after 15 penalties were scored in succession, teenager Anthony Elanga smashed over to hand the Championship side the victory as Ronaldo and United lose the chance of another trophy.