Manchester United have a better win percentage this season without Cristiano Ronaldo in the team.
The Red Devils have won 10 of the Portuguese superstar's 21 outings since his return to the club in August, boasting a 48 per cent win rate.
In United's other six games this term, however, they've won exactly half.
The struggling Premier League side also concede 1.5 goals per game when Ronaldo plays, up from 0.7 when he's not around, while their goals scored ratio is marginally higher when he's in the team, up from 1.5 to 1.6 per game.
The veteran forward missed United's most recent outing, a 1-0 victory against Steven Gerrard's Aston Villa in the FA Cup on Monday.
Should Manchester United drop Cristiano Ronaldo? Let us know in the comments below!
These statistics have emerged after a report by The Sun suggested United players are "running scared" of Ronaldo.
It's believed he's "shocked by the culture at the club" and is warning they could have a nightmare season unless their attitude improves.
Some United fans would argue their already having a nightmare campaign, suffering an embarrassing 5-0 home defeat to Liverpool in October and falling out of the Premier League title race.
"If you don’t want my help, do your job," Ronaldo is alleged to have said to the club's younger players.
The rumour follows Ronaldo's recent interview with Sky Sports, in which he urged his team-mates to drastically improve.
"I remember when I was 18, 19, 20, some old players speak with me, but I put that as, ‘Cristiano you have to improve’ … but other people don’t accept that if you criticise," said United's talisman.
"Sometimes when you’re a little bit harder, they do the opposite. You have to find the right balance to speak with them.
"But in my opinion, that should be coming from inside you. You should be proud of yourself and look in the mirror and say. ‘Listen, I gave everything.'
"And I think all of us should do that. Because [it’s a] new year, we change the page. We have many things to win and we have to believe in that, because if not, it will be a nightmare."
Ronaldo also believes United can still qualify for the Champions League this season, insisting the team should be aiming for a top-three finish.
"Man Utd should win the league or be second or third. I don’t see any other position for Man Utd," he added.
"In my heart, I don’t accept that our mentality be less than being in the top three in the Premier League, in my opinion.
"I think to build up good things, sometimes you have to destroy a few things. So why not – new year, new life and I hope that Manchester can be the level that the fans want. They deserve that."
On mentality, he continued: "For me, the most important thing is the mentality. For you to be professional, help the team, the right mentality, self-thought, positive.
"I think all the details depend on you - not the coaches, the fans, the press. It depends on you. If you are proud of yourself and have some dignity, I think you have to do much more."
