Discordant tunes between Ronaldo and Fernandes could derail Man Utd top-four hopes

Discordant tunes between Ronaldo and Fernandes could derail Man Utd top-four hopes
Ronaldo-Fernandez

The connection between Manchester United's Portuguese duo was supposed to flourish, but the pair are struggling to co-exist in Ralf Rangnick's team as they battle for a leading role

Ralf Rangnick could only watch on in despair as Manchester United’s goalless draw against Watford dealt a hammer blow to their top-four hopes.

But there was one moment involving Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes which could prove to be just as damaging.

The hosts did everything but score in a first half where they dominated Watford and kept the visitors pegged back in their own half. 

Ronaldo had opportunities of his own, hitting the woodwork early on before he saw his effort chalked off due to a marginal offside.

The Portuguese superstar was a constant threat throughout the first half, and looked to have been in a fine position to open his account for the afternoon when Fernandes had been played through on goal by Anthony Elanga.

Few could blame Fernandes for wanting to strike at goal, with time and space to pick his spot. But he must have spotted Ronaldo 10 yards to his right, waiting to tap home into an empty net.

Instead, the playmaker went for goal and Ben Foster was alive to it, making a superb stop with his right hand. Neither Rangnick nor Ronaldo could believe it.

Ronaldo’s reaction was not typical of a man of his age or experience, throwing up his arms in exasperation and launching a tirade of words in his team-mate’s direction, but the frustration was understandable.

After the game, Rangnick blasted his players’ inability to find the back of the net and referenced Fernandes’ chance in his post-match interview as an example of their profligacy.

"Five massive chances in the first half, three in the second,” he said in his post-match interview.

 “Sometimes we were unlucky like when Cristiano Ronaldo hit the post but we had one-on-one opportunities. This is not luck, this is sharpness, efficiency and being clinical."

"It is [frustrating], we did everything than scoring. [It is] hard to take that result. We were in full control for almost the full game.”

This was the result of a clash between two players with individualistic football minds eager to prove they are Man United’s leading man. In truth, it had been threatening to happen for some time.