Cristiano Ronaldo believes Manchester United must undertake a complete overhaul if they want to compete for top football titles once more. The 39-year-old Portugal forward, who enjoyed a successful spell at United from 2003-2009 with three Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy, and a Club World Cup victory, expressed his enduring affection for the club, despite their eighth-place finish in the league last season.
Cristiano Ronaldo has criticized manager Erik ten Hag’s approach as too negative, urging him to focus on winning the Premier League title. Ronaldo, now playing for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, had a strained relationship with ten Hag before his second stint at Manchester United ended in late 2022.
In an upcoming episode of the “Rio Ferdinand Presents” podcast, Ronaldo expressed satisfaction with the club’s investment in infrastructure under INEOS chief Jim Ratcliffe. He emphasized that Manchester United needs a complete overhaul and more time to rebuild, acknowledging that while the club remains one of the best in the world, significant changes are necessary for success.
“I’m confident that the future can be promising, but it requires more than just talent. They need to rebuild from the ground up. Without this fundamental change, competing effectively will be impossible.”
Ten Hag has expressed “quite confidence” in securing more trophies this season after winning the League Cup and FA Cup in the past two years. However, he admitted in July that his team is still “a long way away” from being ready to win the Premier League, a title they haven’t claimed since Alex Ferguson’s final season in 2013.
Ronaldo criticized Ten Hag’s outlook, saying, “The coach shouldn’t claim they can’t compete for the league or the Champions League. As Manchester United’s manager, you should never say you’re not going to fight for these titles. Even if you think the potential might be lacking, you must always aim high and give it your best effort.”
Manchester United may have surprised Manchester City with a victory in the FA Cup final last May, but they faced their worst Premier League season last year, finishing eighth. This season has started poorly, with two losses in their first three matches.
Under increasing pressure after these early defeats, Ten Hag might benefit from the guidance of his former United teammate, Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was recently brought in as an assistant coach. Ronaldo suggested, “You can’t rebuild a club without expertise. I believe Ruud can be a great asset because he’s familiar with the club and its fans. If the coach listens to him, it could lead to some improvements.”
Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, had two stints with Manchester United, scoring 27 goals in 54 appearances during his second spell after joining from Juventus in 2021. Following his departure just over a year later, Ronaldo expressed feelings of being “betrayed” and criticized Ten Hag, stating, “I don’t have respect for him because he doesn’t show respect for me.”
Despite these issues, the 39-year-old Ronaldo affirmed his enduring affection for the club.
I’m not pleased with how everything unfolded, but some aspects of life are beyond our control. What’s done is done,” Ronaldo remarked.
He continued, “Whether I’m right or wrong about the situation is no longer my concern. I’ve said what I needed to say, and for me, it’s over.”
Ronaldo also affirmed, “I love that club. I’m not someone who forgets the past.”
Manchester United, currently sitting 14th in the league, will visit Southampton on Saturday.
