Dimitar Berbatov thinks Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo deserves more respect.
Ronaldo returned to United in the summer and expected to challenge for the Premier League title. United have endured a miserable campaign instead, but Ronaldo's goals have been instrumental in preventing the club from slipping further down the table.
The forward has scored 24 goals in 38 appearances this term and he was on the scoresheet again as United beat Brentford 3-0 on Monday. Ronaldo won a penalty with brilliant movement in that match and he duly obliged from the spot.
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Although Ronaldo is United's leading goalscorer this season, he's received plenty of criticism throughout the campaign. Ronaldo's work rate has been questioned and he also had to overcome his worst goal drought for a decade in the festive period.
However, former United player Berbatov thinks Ronaldo deserves more respect for his prolific season in front of goal.
“To be honest, I’m not surprised," Berbatov told United's in-house media when asked about Ronaldo's season.
"I just had the pleasure of playing one year with him, which was a short period, but I saw how he prepared himself when he was at United. And then I followed him up into his career and it’s not surprising to see him play like this.
“I am sure if he continues taking care of himself, like he is doing now, he can play for another three or four years for sure. Yes, time is waiting for no-one and, with time, some of your qualities are getting less but then you need to be smart and adjust your way of playing football.
"You can still be good and Ronaldo is a case of this, 18 goals at 37 years of age, in the best league in the world, come on! You need to show the respect there.”
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