Cristiano Ronaldo highlights the big change Manchester United must make to win everything again
Cristiano Ronaldo insists Manchester United must “rebuild everything” if they are to return to past glory.
The Portuguese striker wrote his name into Old Trafford folklore during his illustrious first spell at the club, which saw him win the Champions League and pick up the first of five Ballon d'Or awards.
Ronaldo made an emotional return to the club in 2021, which ended tumultuously 15 months later after a explosive interview with Piers Morgan.
The 39-year-old told Morgan that the club had kicked him out after the boss sacked him. Erik the Hag.
Ronaldo took aim at the Dutchman, the Glazer family and the club's young talents in the explosive account.
Nearly two years later, the Al-Nassr star opened up about his unfortunate second stint at the club in an interview with his former teammate. Fernando River.
“Proving that I'm right or wrong is not my business anymore. I say what I have to say and it's done for me,” Ronaldo explained.
“When I came back there (to Manchester United), I was very happy. I was one of the best goalscorers. I did incredible things with the club.
“In my first season, at 37, I was the third top scorer in the league,” he continued. “I scored in the entire group stage (Champions League). I scored in every game. Even in the league, I scored 17 or 18 goals. I did unbelievable.
“But as I told you, Manchester needs to rebuild everything, in my opinion. The manager says they can't compete to win the league and the Champions League.
“As Manchester United “Coach, you can’t say that you’re not going to fight to win the League or the Champions League. You have to be there, say mentally, listen, maybe we don’t have that potential, but I can’t say that. We’re going to try. We have to try.”
5
5
Despite being busy with his commitments at Al-Nassr as well as several exciting business projects, Ronaldo remains closely following the goings-on at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag has led United to two trophies during his two years in charge, but an eighth-place finish in the league last season – the worst in Premier League history – sparked discontent among the club's supporters.
The Red Devils boss has since secured a contract extension until 2026 in the hope of building on last season's FA Cup triumph.
INEOS' new co-owners, led by British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, conducted a major review of the 2023/24 season before opting to stick with the Dutchman, to the surprise of many.
United have made a shaky start to the new season with one win from three games, including back-to-back defeats against Brighton and Liverpool and Ronaldo believes patience is needed to rebuild the club.
“This club (Manchester United) needs time to rebuild because it is still one of the best clubs in the world, but they need to change,” Ronaldo said. “They understand that. This is the only way. That is why they are showing it, they are starting to change again, the structure of the club, the president, the infrastructure and everything.”
“The club owners are investing in the training ground… So I’m happy because (things are changing), I’m not happy about how everything happened, but in the same way, sometimes we can’t control some aspects of our life, but it’s done, it’s done.”
The Portuguese star reserved a special mention for his former teammate Ruud van Nistelrooy who joined the club's coaching staff this summer.
5
5
Both were key components of United's success during Sir Alex Ferguson's time in charge and Ronaldo believes the former striker can help the club get back to the top.
“If Ten Hag listens to Ruud, maybe he can (help improve the club),” Ronaldo added. “I think he can help a lot because he knows the club and the club should listen to the lads who were there.”
“You (River) or Roy Keane or Paul Scholes or Gary NevilleAnyway, Sir Alex Ferguson. You can't rebuild a club without knowledge. Not those who work in an office. They understand. I understand a lot of football because I watch football on television every day.
“The people who understand football, they were 99 percent of the people who were there in the locker room, who were players, who were the most successful coaches in the world.
(Pep) Guardiola, Ferguson, they were players before, they were in the dressing room. They understand it. They know how to treat players. It's the people who understand these things.
“I think Ruud will help because he was inside the club. He knows the club. He knows the fans. If the coach listens to him, I think they can improve the club a little bit.”
