Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed his concerns regarding Erik Ten Hag’s negative outlook, urging the Manchester United manager to aspire towards the Premier League title despite the club being in a significant rebuilding phase.
Now playing for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo’s critique follows a fall-out with Ten Hag that marked the end of his second spell at Manchester United in late 2022. He emphasizes the need for sweeping changes at the club but cautions that Ten Hag should not dismiss the possibility of competing for major trophies in the interim.
Despite Ten Hag’s recent claim of being “quite confident” about securing additional silverware this season after winning the League Cup and FA Cup in prior years, he acknowledged in July that his squad is “a long way away” from being ready to claim the Premier League title, which has eluded the club since 2013.
Ronaldo stated, “Manchester needs to rebuild everything, in my opinion. The coach cannot say they cannot compete to win the league or Champions League. You have to be mentally prepared to say, ‘Listen, maybe we don’t have that potential, but I cannot say that. We’re going to try. You have to try.’”
After defeating Manchester City in the FA Cup final last May, United faced a disappointing previous Premier League season, finishing eighth, and have struggled in their opening matches this season with two losses in three games.
“This club needs time to rebuild because it’s still one of the best in the world, but changes are essential,” Ronaldo added, noting that steps are being taken to revamp the club’s structure, including its leadership and infrastructure.
In a positive development for the club, billionaire Jim Ratcliffe recently acquired a minority stake, which has already led to significant shifts in the club’s hierarchy and operations. Ronaldo expressed optimism about the future, emphasizing that success depends on more than just talent; it requires a cohesive effort from the entire club.
“They have to rebuild from the bottom. If not, competing will be impossible,” he cautioned.
Ronaldo, who previously scored 27 goals in 54 appearances during his second stint at United, expressed mixed feelings about his past with the club. While he felt “betrayed” by the circumstances of his departure and had words of discontent towards Ten Hag, he maintains a deep affection for Manchester United.
“I’m not happy with how it all happened, but we cannot control every aspect of our lives. It’s done,” he remarked. “I love that club. I’m not the kind of guy who forgets the past.”
