Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed criticism towards Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, stating the club needs to “rebuild everything” to vie for top football honors.
The Dutch manager faces scrutiny after leading United to their worst-ever Premier League finish of eighth place last season, compounded by two losses in the first three games of the current season.
Ronaldo, now with the Saudi Arabian team Al-Nassr after two periods at United, has publicly questioned Ten Hag’s mindset.
“The coach says they cannot compete to win the [Premier] League and Champions League,” he told the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, which comes out on Thursday.
“As the Manchester United coach, you cannot say that you’re not going to fight to win the league or Champions League.”
“Mentally, you can say maybe we don’t have that potential, but I cannot say that. We’re going to try; you have to try.”
“What I wish for Manchester United is what I wish for myself—to be the best team they can be. I love that club… I’m not the kind of guy who forgets the past.”
During his initial six years at United, Ronaldo secured three Premier League titles, a Champions League title, two League Cups, an FA Cup, as well as the FIFA Club World Cup and Community Shield, before his 2009 move to Real Madrid.
Returning from Juventus in August 2021, Ronaldo scored 145 goals across 346 appearances for United until his departure to Al-Nassr in December 2022.
Just a month prior to his move, Ronaldo disclosed in a controversial interview with Piers Morgan that he felt “betrayed” and marginalized at United.
In a discussion with former teammate Ferdinand, Ronaldo noted a lack of progress at United since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.
Despite not clinching a Premier League title post-Ferguson, United’s co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe aims to restore the club’s prestigious standing, having recently acquired a 25% stake and taken control of football operations through his company, Ineos.
Ronaldo added, “They need to rebuild everything, in my opinion. The 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 are showing, they start to change again, the structure of the club, the infrastructures, and everything. The owners of the club are investing in the training ground, so I’m happy because things are changing.”
“I believe that the future will be bright. I believe, but they don’t depend only on talent. They have to rebuild from the bottom. If not, they cannot compete. It will be impossible.”
Ronaldo, however, has commended the club for bringing his former teammate Ruud van Nistelrooy into Ten Hag’s coaching team.
“If Ten Hag listens to Ruud, maybe he can help himself,” he added.
“I think it can help a lot because he knows the club and the club should listen to the guys who were there.”
“You, Rio, or Roy Keane, or Paul Scholes, or Gary Neville, or Sir Alex Ferguson. You cannot rebuild a club without knowledge—not just guys who work in the office.”
“The people who understand football are the ones who were there in the dressing room. They know how to deal with the players.”
“So I believe that Ruud is going to help because he was inside the club. He knows the club, he knows the fans. If the coach listens to him, I think they can improve the club significantly.”
