Cristiano Ronaldo believes Manchester United need to rebuild ‘everything’ if they are to return to the top of the Premier League, while he has criticised the mentality of manager Erik ten Hag.
Ronaldo, who enjoyed two spells at United varying in success, has broken down the issues at the club after they recorded their worst-ever Premier League finish during the 2023/24 campaign, dropping to eighth in the standings. His initial six-year stint with the Red Devils saw him win three Premier League titles, the Champions League, two League Cups and an FA Cup.
His most recent experience, however, came with less success, and his contract was mutually terminated midway through his second season after falling out with Ten Hag.
But the United legend believes he has the key to United’s lack of success and has detailed how the club should rebuild in order to regain their place among Europe’s best.
“Manchester [United], they need to rebuild everything, in my opinion,” he told former teammate Rio Ferdinand in the latest episode of Rio Ferdinand Presents. “The coach, they say they cannot compete to win the league and Champions League. Manchester United coach, you cannot say that you’re not going to fight to win the league or Champions League.
“You have to, to mentally say: ‘Listen, maybe we don’t have that potential, but I cannot say that. We’re going to try.’ You have to try. This club needs time to rebuild because it’s still one of the best clubs in the world, but they need to change.
“They understand that. This is the only way. This is why they show, they start to change again, the structure of the club, the president, the infrastructures and everything. The owners of the club.
“I believe that the future will be bright. I believe, but they don’t depend only on the talents. It’s more than that. It’s all club, all, not only players, club, everything as a unit, united. They have to rebuild from the bottom. If not, they cannot compete. It will be impossible.
“They can do good things, yes, they can win Carabao, yeah, but I mean, Champions League or Europa League or Premier League, difficult, in my opinion. And I wish that I’m wrong, I wish, but will be difficult.”
Ronaldo also detailed his relationship with Ten Hag, claiming that while he does not respect the Dutchman, he ultimately still has love for United.
“I don’t have respect for him because he doesn’t show respect for me,” he continued. “I’m not happy the way it all happen, but in the same way, we cannot control some points of our life sometimes, but it’s done, already done.
“But to be honest with you, what I wish for Manchester, it’s what I wish for me. The best they can make, again the best team they can, and I love that club. I’m not that kind of guy that forgets the past.”