Cristiano Ronaldo's struggles continue as he goes six games without a goal, his longest drought in half a year

Ronaldo's barren spell comes at a crucial time for Manchester United, who are battling for a top-four finish in the Premier League and face a daunting Champions League last-16 tie against Atletico Madrid.

Cristiano Ronaldo's goal drought continued on Saturday as he failed to find the net in Manchester United's 1-0 defeat to Everton. It was the sixth consecutive game in all competitions that Ronaldo has failed to score, his longest such drought since March 2022.

The Portuguese forward has now gone 589 minutes without a goal, his longest barren spell since he went six games without scoring for Real Madrid in October 2017.

Ronaldo's struggles come at a crucial time for Manchester United, who are battling for a top-four finish in the Premier League and face a daunting Champions League last-16 tie against Atletico Madrid.

The Red Devils are currently fifth in the Premier League, three points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur with just six games remaining.

They also face a tough task in the Champions League, as they travel to the Wanda Metropolitano to face Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their last-16 tie on February 23.

Ronaldo's lack of goals has been a major concern for Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick, who has admitted that the team needs the Portuguese forward to start scoring again if they are to achieve their objectives this season.

"Cristiano is a world-class player, but he's also 37 years old," Rangnick said after the defeat to Everton.

"He's not the same player he was five or six years ago, and we need to find ways to get him more involved in the game."

Ronaldo's struggles have led to speculation that he could leave Manchester United at the end of the season.

The Portuguese forward has been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, as well as a return to his former club Sporting Lisbon.

However, Ronaldo has insisted that he is happy at Manchester United and that he wants to stay at the club.

"I'm not thinking about leaving Manchester United," Ronaldo said in an interview with Sky Sports last month.

"I'm happy here, and I want to continue playing at the highest level for as long as I can."