Cristiano Ronaldo Criticizes Manchester United's Direction, Calls for Major Rebuild Under Erik ten Hag

Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed his concerns about Manchester United's current trajectory under manager Erik ten Hag, arguing that the club must undergo a complete rebuild to return to its glory days. Speaking on Rio Ferdinand's Five podcast, Ronaldo, who had two spells at United, emphasized the need for a change in mentality and structure if the club is to compete for the Premier League and Champions League again.

United, who finished eighth last season—their lowest in Premier League history—have endured a tough start to the current campaign with two defeats in their opening three games. Ronaldo, now playing for Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, took issue with Ten Hag’s comments that the club is not in a position to fight for major trophies.

“As Manchester United coach, you cannot say that you're not going to fight to win the league or Champions League,” Ronaldo said. “Mentally, you might say we don’t have that potential, but you cannot openly admit it. You have to try, you have to fight.”

Reflecting on the club's current state, Ronaldo, who won three Premier League titles and the Champions League during his first spell at United, lamented the lack of progress since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013. “There has been no evolution,” he stated, adding that the club's infrastructure and mentality have stagnated over the years.

United have not won a Premier League title in over a decade, but co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe's recent 25% stake purchase and his Ineos group taking over football operations offer hope for change. Ronaldo is optimistic about the future but insists the club needs to rebuild from the ground up. “The club needs time to rebuild because it's still one of the best clubs in the world, but they need to change. The structure, the infrastructure—they’re starting to invest, and that’s a positive sign,” he said.

Ronaldo also praised the recruitment of his former team-mate Ruud van Nistelrooy to Ten Hag’s backroom staff, suggesting that Ten Hag could benefit from listening to those who know the club intimately. “Ruud knows the club, the fans, and how to handle players. If Ten Hag listens to him, I believe it can help improve the situation,” Ronaldo explained.

The Portuguese legend called for more involvement from former United stars like Rio Ferdinand, Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, and Gary Neville in the club’s rebuilding process. “You cannot rebuild a club without knowledge,” Ronaldo emphasized. “The people who understand football are those who were in the dressing room and know how to deal with the players.”

Ronaldo's comments underline his enduring love for Manchester United, despite his controversial departure from the club in December 2022 after publicly criticizing the management. Now watching from afar, Ronaldo remains hopeful for United’s revival, but stresses that the road to recovery requires deep changes and a renewed focus on the foundations of the club.