It was supposed to be his 22nd brace for the club and his 5th header of the season (should I take in account the disallowed header against Chelsea). Instead, it was only his first FA Cup goal of the campaign.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored three minutes into the second half to help United trash Derby 4-1 in the FA Cup 5th round on Sunday evening. And to tell the truth, it is all due to the Reds’ ability to in front of goal that the match officials did not make the headlines.

Not for the first time this season, Cristiano Ronaldo had a goal controversially disallowed. The reason: it was said to be offside.

Already 1-0 up through Nani’s screamer on 28 minutes, Manchester United were looking to get the crowd grow wild with a formidable display and a goals galore. Last week’s match hero, skipper Ryan Giggs, played the ball through to Ronaldo after spotting him onside; the Star winger busted through the Derby defence before driving the ball across the line after checking if the flag was up or not.
Celebrations then went on as everyone thought he had effectively banged in United’s second goal of the game.
But the joy of the 24 year old player and of the rest of his team mates soon turned into confusion as the referee opted to cancel the goal after the linesman had made a remark, judging it to be offside.

The game’s fourth official, referee Rob Styles, eventually had to explained to the baffled visitors the delay of the decision, stating that the linesman wasn’t sure whether Giggs had flicked the ball or not. Either way, television replays proved the decision was wrong: the Portuguese ace was well onside and his goal should have stood up.

However, this ridiculous verdict from the referee made the man who dreams of reaching last season’s 42 goals tally more good than pain in one way or another. The infuriated Red Devil powered Manchester United to double the lead – this time for real – when his deflected rocket free kick fell to Gibson who lashed the ball past Derby’s keeper.

Ronaldo then had a goal of his own later on, beautifully heading home Ryan Giggs’ excellent ball from a corner. The Star winger had proven at this moment how good and influential he was on the day.

It looks like 2008’s most decorated player, Cristiano Ronaldo, has the world against him. The Portuguese talisman is facing a difficult task trying to dazzle, with wrong decisions like that going against him.

The ruling out of clean goals – which seems somewhat like an act of conspiracy – is creating hurdles in Ronaldo’s road to success this year. On a Ronaldo fan point of view, discontent as regards to this injustice is the most obvious feeling. Now the question remains: will he manage to shame his oppressors come the end of the season?

Written by: Angela Asante