Cristiano Ronaldo Advocates for Comprehensive Overhaul at Manchester United

Cristiano Ronaldo believes he holds the solution to Manchester United’s struggles. The Portuguese star, who has had two separate tenures with the club, has urged the team to undertake a complete overhaul to regain their former glory.

In a recent appearance on the “Rio Ferdinand Presents” podcast, Ronaldo expressed his views on the current state of Manchester United and the direction the club should take. He was candid about the limitations he perceives in the team’s current setup, particularly criticizing the mentality of the coaches and manager Erik ten Hag.

According to Ronaldo, the mindset within the coaching staff is a significant obstacle. He noted, “The coaches, they say they cannot compete to win the league and the Champions League.” Ronaldo emphasized that such an attitude is unacceptable for a club of Manchester United’s stature. “If you’re a Manchester United coach, you cannot say that you’re not going to fight to win the league or the Champions League. You have to mentally say, listen, maybe we don’t have that potential … but we’re going to try, you have to try.”

Manchester United’s last Premier League title came in 2013 under Sir Alex Ferguson, and the club has since experienced a series of managerial changes and inconsistent performances. The team, now managed by Ten Hag, finished eighth in the league last season—their worst Premier League finish ever. Despite winning the FA Cup by defeating Manchester City in May, United’s start to the current season has been underwhelming, with a narrow victory over Fulham followed by losses to Brighton and Liverpool.

Ronaldo acknowledged the need for time and effort in rebuilding the club. He stated, “This club needs time to rebuild. It is still one of the best clubs in the world, but they need to change. They understand that it’s the only way.” However, he also cautioned that reliance on individual talent alone will not be sufficient. “I believe that the future will be bright, but they [can’t] depend only on the talents, it’s more than that,” he added. Ronaldo stressed the importance of unity and a comprehensive approach to rebuilding the club from the ground up.

Reflecting on the challenges ahead, Ronaldo admitted that while winning domestic cups like the Carabao Cup might be feasible, competing for major trophies such as the Champions League or Premier League will be difficult without significant changes. “I wish that I’m wrong, but it will be difficult,” he remarked.

Ronaldo’s departure from United in 2022 was marked by controversy, following an explosive interview with Piers Morgan where he expressed feelings of betrayal and criticism towards the club and Ten Hag. His final months at the club saw him largely sidelined and refusing to participate in a match against Tottenham Hotspur, which culminated in him leaving the stadium prematurely.

Despite these issues, Ronaldo, who now plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, still harbors affection for Manchester United and wants to see them succeed. He expressed optimism about the recent appointment of former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy to the coaching staff, stating that Van Nistelrooy’s experience and knowledge would be beneficial. “You cannot rebuild a club without knowledge,” Ronaldo said. “Not guys who work in offices, (who say), ‘I understand a lot of football because I see football on the television every day.’ It doesn’t work like that. The people who understand football 99% is the people who were there, in the dressing room, who were players.”

In recent weeks, Ronaldo has continued to demonstrate his prowess on the field, recently scoring his 900th career goal while playing for Portugal against Croatia and adding another goal against Scotland shortly thereafter. During his first stint with Manchester United, Ronaldo scored 145 goals, evolving from a promising winger into one of the world’s most prolific goal-scorers before his record-breaking transfer to Real Madrid.

Ronaldo’s insights underscore the challenges facing Manchester United and the need for a fundamental shift if the club is to return to its former status as a football powerhouse.