Ronaldo flaunts statistics as former Chelsea star tells him to quit

Former Chelsea forward Frank Leboeuf has urged  Cristiano Ronaldo, 37, to retire before becoming a 'normal player' amid Old Trafford struggles.

However, Ronaldo hit back at criticism of his goal-scoring record at Manchester United and insists he is still one of the best players in the world.

Interim manager Ralf Rangnick said earlier this month that it was 'obvious' Ronaldo had to score more goals before the Portugal superstar ended his worst drought for 13 years.

Ronaldo has come under fire in other quarters but is still United's top marksman this season on 15 goals and the only player at Old Trafford in double figures.

The 37-year-old has scored 804 goals in his career so far, including a world record 115 on the international stage, and believes he is still at the top of his game.

'I show year after year that the numbers speak for themselves,' said Ronaldo. 'I don't have to tell you that I'm very good, because the numbers are there.

'The facts are facts, the rest is not. It doesn't matter at all. That's why I'm very happy with my form. I'm still scoring goals, helping people, both in the national team and at Manchester United, and that's why I want to continue like this.

'It's my dedication, my passion, my ambition to be working hard all the time. This is why I continue to be at the top of the world in terms of performance, trophies, goals and records.' 

Ronaldo is set to lead the attack in the continued absence of Edinson Cavani when United host Watford in what Rangnick admits is a must-win game in their bid to hold onto fourth place.

But Marcus Rashford is fighting to keep his place after the United manager revealed that he has spoken to the England international over his indifferent form.

'I'm pretty sure he is not happy with his performance right now, but it doesn't help if we discuss that every week,' said Rangnick. 'We just try to give him helping hands with everything we can.

'I have personally spoken a lot with him. We show him video footage, we speak with him regularly, and in training he is in top form. Now it's about having that transformation from training to the competition in the league.'

'I don't want him to be a normal player. He's been an exceptional player for so long,' Leboeuf continued. 

'I'd prefer him to give up his career at the top instead of maybe trying and play for two or three more years and not being the player that he used to be.' 

Ronaldo returned to United aiming at a sixth Ballon d'Or, hoping to catch his great rival Lionel Messi's haul of seven before he quits. 

Instead, he quickly found a squad incapable of supporting his still-lofty ambitions – with the club a shadow of the one commandeered by  Alex Ferguson, the one he left. 

Ronaldo managed just one touch inside Atletico Madrid's box in the Champions League on Wednesday, seeing his frustration rise.