Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has put his weight behind the club’s superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. The talisman once again came up with a poor performance against Aston Villa at Villa Park after the Red Devils were beaten by 3-1.

Ronaldo could not deliver the goods for the team and his performance was not up to his standards. Ferdinand reckons the Portuguese striker is probably struggling with his fitness and thus he hasn’t been able to bring his best to the pitch for the club.

Ronaldo has scored a solitary goal in the Premier League in the 10 matches he has played in the ongoing season.

Speaking on VIBE with FIVE, Ferdinand said: “No one covered themselves in glory at the weekend [against Aston Villa]. Time will tell this season when you look at the end of the season in terms of goals and what he has done for the team.”

He continued: “There are peaks and troughs through a season in terms of form. Cristiano Ronaldo right now isn’t hitting the net like you are accustomed to seeing him.”

“He is probably fighting for fitness right now as well, if he goes to a World Cup and plays he might come back in better condition than when he left. You don’t know. How many games do you think it takes you to get fit?”

Meanwhile, Ronaldo had earlier missed the pre-season for Manchester United due to personal reasons. The former full-back believes it is one of the main reasons for Ronaldo’s poor form.

“I can’t remember what year it was [I missed pre-season] but more of the times around World Cup you come back later for pre-seasons and it takes you that bit longer. Regardless of that, I never felt fit until about six games into the season. I was always going into games pre-season always worrying about my fitness and being fit enough to get through 90 minutes.”

He added: “Being fit enough to chase a striker 40/50 yards into the channel and now blowing and thinking ‘Jesus if he plays it in there again I don’t know if I have the energy or sharpness to get there.’”

Manchester United will once again take on Aston Villa in Carabao Cup on Thursday.