Gary Lineker leads bemusement at Cristiano Ronaldo being named Premier League’s Player of the Month for September
Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the Premier League’s Player of the Month for September after some superb displays for Manchester United.
While the 36-year-old undoubtedly impressed, some, including Gary Lineker, felt as though he was fortunate to win the award ahead of Mohamed Salah.
Salah was the other obvious top contender for the award and may feel hard done by.
Lineker tweeted: ‘He’s been terrific, but Mo Salah should’ve won this…. comfortably.’
Salah scored in Liverpool’s three Premier League matches last month, equalling Ronaldo’s tally of three, and arguably contributed more to the Reds around the pitch.
One fan wrote: ‘That’s absolutely farcical, Ronaldo was useless in most matches he played but scored a few tap ins, Salah was far better than him this month.’
While another posted: ‘Ronaldo winning POTM in the month Salah confirmed himself as the best player in the world is the biggest joke of all time.’
Ronaldo made his first start of the season against Newcastle on September 11, having rejoined the club to huge fanfare and scored twice.
His first was a tap in but the second showed he can still outrun defenders has be sped into the box before slotting home.
Ronaldo then levelled up for United when they had gone behind at West Ham, shifting the momentum of the game back in his side’s favour before Jesse Lingard came up with a late winner.
He was unable to prevent United falling to a 1-0 defeat by Aston Villa at the end of September but was judged to have done enough to win the award.
While his performances in Europe were not considered for the Premier League award, Ronaldo also scored in the 2-1 defeat away at Young Boys before netting a dramatic winner at home against Villarreal in the Champions League.
Other contenders for the prize might have been Andros Townsend, who scored in Everton wins against Burnley and Norwich and Allan Saint-Maximin, who has been a leading light for Newcastle despite them failing to win a game. - AFP
