Cristiano Ronaldo criticizes Erik ten Hag, calls for club rebuilding
Cristiano Ronaldo, the football superstar who has had two stints with Manchester United, has openly criticized the club's current manager Erik ten Hag. He suggested that a complete overhaul is necessary for the club to regain its competitive edge. This comes in light of United's disappointing eighth-place finish last season, their worst ever in Premier League history. The team has also suffered two losses in their first three games of this season. Here's more.
Ronaldo questions Ten Hag's mindset amid poor performance
Ronaldo has raised questions about ten Hag's mentality and approach. He expressed his dissatisfaction on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, stating, "The coach says they cannot compete to win the [Premier] League and Champions League. As Manchester United coach, you cannot say that you're not going to fight to win the league or Champions League." "Mentally [you can] say maybe we don't have that potential, but I cannot say that. We're going to try, you have to try."
Ronaldo's legacy and concerns about United's future
Ronaldo, who won three Premier League titles, the Champions League, two League Cups, an FA Cup, the FIFA Club World Cup and Community Shield during his first six-year stint at United, remains loyal to the club. He stated on the podcast that he wants Manchester United to be "the best team they can." Ronaldo left for Al-Nassr in December 2022 after scoring a total of 145 goals in 346 appearances for the club.
Ronaldo felt 'betrayed' by United, sees no progress post-Ferguson
In a controversial television interview with Piers Morgan just a month before his departure in 2022, Ronaldo claimed he felt "betrayed" and forced out of the club. He also told Ferdinand on his podcast that there had been "no evolution" at United since former manager Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013. The club has not won a Premier League title since then.
Ronaldo calls for complete overhaul of Manchester United
Ronaldo believes that a complete overhaul is necessary for the club to regain its competitive edge. He stated, "They need to rebuild everything, in my opinion." He also expressed his approval of the club's decision to bring former teammate Ruud van Nistelrooy into ten Hag's backroom staff. Ronaldo emphasized the importance of having old players who understand the club involved in its redevelopment efforts.
Man United have started poorly this season
In the current season, Man United will compete in the UEFA Europa League and have won one of their three Premier League games so far (L2). They also lost on penalties to Manchester City in the FA Community Shield.
