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Cristiano Ronaldo returned to the Premier League last year. The 37-year-old, who was already a Manchester United legend, wanted to test himself in the most competitive league during the twilight of his career.
Ronaldo has transformed into a completely different player over the last decade. The once skilful and flashy winger at Old Trafford is now a serial goalscorer who lurks in the box like a poacher.
Cristiano Ronaldo has had modest exploits on his return to the Premier League this season
Manchester United fans had huge expectations from Cristiano Ronaldo and co. While the likes of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane have failed to make an impact, Ronaldo has been United’s top scorer (14 goals) in all competitions, which includes eight league strikes.
However, he hasn’t been as dominant as fans thought he would be. The winner of numerous Golden Boots is eight goals behind Mohamed Salah (16) in the Premier League Golden Boot race.
There are plenty of players who have more goal contributions than Ronaldo this season. In fact, a teammate of Ronaldo’s has contributed more goals than him in the competition. On that note, here are the five best Premier League players with more goal contributions than Ronaldo this season:
#5 Trent Alexander-Arnold - 12
Trent Alexander-Arnold is the only defender who has contributed more goals than Ronaldo this season. The Liverpool right-back has ten assists and two goals in the league this season. Meanwhile, Ronaldo has eight goals and three assists under his belt.
Alexander-Arnold, along with fellow full-back Andrew Robertson, have completely redefined the full-back role. The pair are consistently among the leading assist providers in the league. Alexander-Arnold has most assists in the Premier League this season than Robertson.
Surprisingly, the defender has played a direct hand in more goals than Ronaldo, one of the best players of all time. This shows the significance of Liverpool’s full-backs in their system and how pivotal Alexander-Arnold is to their creativity.
#4 Bruno Fernandes - 12
Bruno Fernandes’ importance to Manchester United indeed diminished after Ronaldo’s arrival. The Old Trafford talisman has to settle for a support role whenever he has shared the pitch with Ronaldo for club or country.
Nevertheless, Fernandes has managed to outperform the five-time Ballon d’Or winner in terms of goals and assists this season. The Manchester United midfielder has seven goals and five assists in the ongoing Premier League season.
The Portuguese playmaker has been impressive since the turn of the year. He followed up a brace against Aston Villa with a pair of assists at home to Brentford. Manchester United fans will hope Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo can carry them to a top-four finish this season.
#3 Emmanuel Dennis - 13
Emmanuel Dennis has been a better signing than Cristiano Ronaldo in the Premier League this season. The Nigerian forward has made 13 goal contributions so far, two more than the Portuguese striker. Dennis has bagged eight goals and five assists.
Watford acquired the African striker from Club Brugge for a mere €4 million. The 24-year-old has been a very productive signing. He has been involved in nearly 33% of Watford's total goals in the Premier League since his arrival.
The Hornets are in 19th place in the league table. Over the next few months, Dennis' performances could be crucial in the relegation battle.
Similarly, Manchester United have also performed well below expectations. The Red Devils were expected to challenge for the title after the arrival of Ronaldo, but are only in fourth place at the moment.
#2 Michail Antonio - 14
Michail Antonio and Cristiano Ronaldo have each won a Player of the Month award this season. Although both have experienced a downward spiral in productivity since those displays, Antonio has been more consistent than the Portuguese.
Both Antonio and Ronaldo have scored eight goals in the Premier League this season. However, the Jamaican international has recorded six assists compared to the United man's two. Antonio has led his team to a strong position in the table.
Given the difference in quality between West Ham and Manchester United, the 20-time Premier League winners should be well above the Londoners in the table. However, the likes of Antonio and Bowed have kept David Moyes' side alive in the top-four race.
#1 Mohamed Salah - 25
Mohamed Salah is the most prolific player in the English top flight this season. The Egyptian winger has scored 16 goals and registered nine assists. He has 11 more goal contributions than any other player and more than double what Ronaldo has managed.
The Liverpool number 11 is having a season to remember. Despite outperforming Ronaldo in all metrics last year, he missed out on a place in the FIFA FIFPRO World XI. The right winger, though, is one of the frontrunners for the Premier League Player of the Season award.
The Egyptian has played a direct role in as many goals as Antonio and Ronaldo combined. The runaway Golden Boot leader is a shoo-in for several awards this season.
