On Monday night, the ‘bad boy’ as he is called was rather a miserable victim. Cristiano Ronaldo had to endure a 84 frustrating minutes before coming off from the pitch.
Middlesbrough fans love to hate Ronaldo and perhaps did they think that last night was the perfect opportunity to pay him back for all the controversies he created against their team.

Though missing quite a lot of chances to break the deadlock for the Red Devils, Cristiano Ronaldo looked also the most likely to head his team in front with his numerous excellent free-kicks – eventually punched away by Boro’s outstanding keeper.

But the story of the game was not only about the display and goals; The main subject was the referee’s performance on the night and Middlesbrough’s ridiculous defending.

Holding a big four for more than an hour is a remarkable thing for a side such as Boro and credits should well be given to their goalkeeper. But in which manner were Southgates’ men able to achieve that?

Not for the first time this season, Cristiano Ronaldo was the victim of many reckless challenges. Pogatetz, his marker had it wrong most of the times but suprisingly managed to get away unpunished by the referee.

Manchester were already denied a penalty when O’Neil handled the ball in the area but this incident wasn’t recorded by the officials.

Minutes later, the appeal was even more obvious. Pogatetz crushed Ronaldo to the ground forcing his fingers in the Portuguese’s neck. But once again, there was no reaction from the referee, as if nothing at all had happened.

This came much to the fury of Cristiano Ronaldo who then harshly complained to the officials at half time. An argument broke out between him and the guilty skipper Pogatetz down the tunnel; But it looked like nothing had settled as Pogatetz continued with his ridiculous challenges in the second period.

Ronaldo had to be substituted after 84 minutes.

Written by: Angela Asante