Cristiano Ronaldo criticized Erik ten Hag’s overly negative attitude, urging the Manchester United manager to aim for the Premier League title despite the club’s need for a significant rebuild.
The Portuguese star, now with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, expressed dissatisfaction with Ten Hag during his final days at Old Trafford in late 2022. Ronaldo advocates for major changes at the club but insists that Ten Hag should still pursue top honours.
Despite winning the League Cup and FA Cup in the past two seasons, Ten Hag acknowledged in July that his team is far from ready to clinch the Premier League, a title Manchester United last won in 2013 under Alex Ferguson.
“Manchester needs to rebuild everything, in my opinion,” Ronaldo commented on the upcoming Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast episode. He criticized the coach’s resignation to not compete for the league and Champions League titles, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a competitive mindset.
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Manchester United defeated Manchester City in the FA Cup final in May but suffered their worst Premier League season last term, finishing eighth. They have also lost two of their first three matches this season.
“This club needs time to rebuild because it’s still one of the best in the world, but changes are necessary,” Ronaldo stated.
British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe bought a minority stake in Manchester United in February and initiated significant changes in the club’s management after taking over football operations.
“I believe the future will be bright,” Ronaldo said. He stressed that success depends on more than just player talent—it requires a cohesive effort from the entire club.
Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, had a prolific return to United with 27 goals in 54 appearances after rejoining from Juventus in 2021. Following his contentious departure a year later, he expressed betrayal and a lack of respect from Ten Hag.
Still, Ronaldo retains his affection for the club. “I’m not happy about how things ended, but some aspects of life are beyond our control. It’s in the past now,” he reflected.
