Cristiano Ronaldo Criticizes Ten Hag, Urges United to Rebuild

Cristiano Ronaldo has criticized Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag and urged the club to “rebuild everything” to regain competitiveness for major trophies. The Dutch manager faces scrutiny following United’s disappointing eighth-place finish in the Premier League last season and poor start to the current campaign with two losses in their first three games.

Ronaldo, who had two stints with Manchester United before joining Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, questioned Ten Hag’s mentality. In an upcoming episode of the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Ronaldo challenged Ten Hag’s remarks about not being able to compete for the Premier League or Champions League. He believes that as the manager of Manchester United, one should always strive for the highest goals, regardless of current limitations.

Reflecting on his time at United, Ronaldo who won three Premier League titles, a Champions League, two League Cups, an FA Cup and other trophies during his first spell, expressed a deep connection to the club. He emphasized that despite his departure, he still cares deeply about its success. Ronaldo criticized the club’s lack of progress since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013 and called for significant structural changes.

He acknowledged recent efforts by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos team to invest in the club’s infrastructure and training facilities, expressing hope for a brighter future. However, Ronaldo stressed that rebuilding from the ground up is essential for Manchester United to compete at the highest level. Ronaldo praised Manchester United for hiring former teammate Ruud van Nistelrooy to Ten Hag’s staff.

Cristiano Ronaldo believes that Van Nistelrooy’s extensive knowledge and experience with the club could offer valuable insights and drive improvements. He also feels that including individuals who understand the club’s inner workings is essential for its revival.