Cristiano Ronaldo's Manchester United team-mates are FAILING HIM, says Dean Ashton

Dean Ashton has defended Cristiano Ronaldo for failing to score a goal in his last six Manchested United games and has instead called out Diogo Dalot, Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford for their poor service to the Portuguese forward.

Ronaldo is currently experiencing his longest goal drought since the 2008-09 campaign with the forward failing to find the back of the net in all competitions since scoring in the 3-1 win over Burnley on December 30.

It has left fans and pundits to question Ronaldo's impact but Ashton has insisted that it isn't the 37-year-old's fault – rather that he isn't getting the service he deserves and needs to score goals.

Former England striker Ashton instead pointed the blame at United trio Rashford, Dalot and Shaw, claiming that they are the ones at fault for Ronaldo's poor form in front of goal.

'It's not his fault for a start,' Ashton told talkSPORT. 'He's getting angry because the service is that bad.

'When you buy Ronaldo, you don't buy the player that he was 10 years ago, you buy the player that he is now. You watch Juve, he didn't take three or four players on then smash it in. He didn't score goals from outside the area.

'His game was inside the area. Great movement, sharp movement, delivery, goal. Sight of the goal, back of the net. Manchester United are playing every other way except what's needed for him and to get the best out of him.

'Why have the best goalscorer in the history of football and not give him the service he needs? Rashford, why does he persist on trying to knuckleball every cross? He just knuckleballs it to the first player.

'Why are [Diogo] Dalot and [Luke] Shaw crossing from really deep, when it gives Ronaldo less opportunity to get on the end of it and beat a defender?

'This is a guy with an unbelievable leap and he's not scored a Premier League header. What? They're not giving him the service.'

Ronaldo has only netted twice under Ralf Rangnick, having previously scored 12 times under predecessor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer since joining from Juventus in the summer.

His poor run of form as also seen him linked with the Old Trafford exit this summer, while reports in Spain claim his relationship with Rangnick is 'totally fractured'.

Spanish news outlet AS claim that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner believes Rangnick does not have the ability to manage United and is out of his depth at Old Trafford.

And to make matters worse, Rangnick is said to have angered Ronaldo further last Friday, after he accused the forward of not performing in front of goal.

The 37-year-old has not hesitated to show his frustrations this season either, with his most recent outburst coming against Burnley last week.

Rangnick dropped Ronaldo to the bench in favour of Edinson Cavani midweek but the Portugal international was brought on as a second-half substitute at Turf Moor before starting against Southampton on Saturday.

Other attempts from elsewhere in the dressing room have been made to undermine Rangnick and his coaching staff.

Last week it was claimed that some United players refer to Rangnick's No 2, Chris Armas, as Ted Lasso - the hapless coach in an Apple+ TV series.

However, despite a tempestuous relationship with the manager, Ronaldo is said to be happy living with his family in Manchester and reportedly has no plans to move.

Rangnick will be vacating his position in May and Ronaldo could be happy to stay at Old Trafford with the 63-year-old no longer at the helm.

However, United's board have yet to appoint a permanent manager for when the interim boss leaves at the end of the season.

Sportmail revealed last week that the players would prefer PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino to take charge at Old Trafford, while Rangnick backs Ajax manager Erik ten Hag.

While a cloud of uncertainty lingers over Old Trafford, there is one thing that seemingly is not in doubt - United's players will be looking forward to welcoming a new manager this summer.