Cristiano Ronaldo has publicly criticized Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, accusing him of having a “negative” attitude toward the club’s ambitions.
Ronaldo, who now plays for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, believes Manchester United should not shy away from aiming for major trophies, even though the club is in the midst of a rebuilding phase.
Despite United’s struggles, Ronaldo insists that the team should still push to compete for the Premier League and Champions League.
His comments come at a time when the club’s future is uncertain, with significant changes underway in its management structure. In the meantime, Jambobet offers live betting in Kenya, attracting bettors looking for dynamic, in-play betting experiences.
Ronaldo’s Perspective: A Winning Mentality at All Costs
In an appearance on Rio Ferdinand’s podcast, Ronaldo shared his frustration with Ten Hag’s recent remarks about Manchester United’s chances of winning the Premier League and Champions League.
The Dutch manager has been cautiously optimistic about the team’s prospects, admitting that United is “a long way away” from being a Premier League contender. However, Ronaldo’s view is different—he believes that, regardless of the team’s current state, United should always strive for greatness.
“You cannot say you’re not going to fight to win the league or the Champions League,” Ronaldo said during the interview. “Even if you don’t have the potential, you have to try. This is Manchester United.” This mindset, according to Ronaldo, should be the foundation of the club’s philosophy, especially given its storied history and reputation as one of the biggest clubs in the world.
While Ten Hag has already led United to silverware in the form of the League Cup and FA Cup, his acknowledgment that the team is far from competing for the Premier League title has raised concerns among fans and former players like Ronaldo.
The Portuguese superstar believes that the mentality at Old Trafford needs a serious adjustment if the club is to return to the top of European football.
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The State of Manchester United: A Club in Transition
Ronaldo’s comments come at a time when Manchester United is undergoing significant changes, both on and off the pitch.
British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe completed his purchase of a minority stake in the club earlier this year, and since then, a series of major structural adjustments have been made in the club’s hierarchy.
These changes are intended to modernize the club and steer it toward long-term success, but the transition has been anything but smooth.
The team finished eighth in the Premier League last season, one of their worst performances in the modern era, and the start of the current season has been far from ideal, with United losing two of their first three matches.
As Ronaldo pointed out, the club needs more than just managerial tweaks and squad overhauls—it requires a complete structural and philosophical shift.
“This club is one of the best in the world, but they need to change everything. The president, the structure, the players—everyone has to be united,” Ronaldo stated. His words reflect a deep concern for the club’s direction and a desire to see United return to the dominant force it once was under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ten Hag’s Approach: Cautious Optimism or Lack of Ambition?
Erik ten Hag has been vocal about Manchester United’s rebuilding process. While he remains optimistic about adding more silverware to the club’s collection this season, he has also tempered expectations by saying that the team is not yet ready to compete for the Premier League title.
In July, he admitted that Manchester United is still “a long way away” from challenging the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool for the league crown.
Ronaldo, however, believes that this mindset is part of the problem. In his view, a club as prestigious as Manchester United should never publicly concede that they aren’t ready to compete for major trophies.
Instead, he advocates for a mentality that constantly pushes for excellence, even when the odds are stacked against them.
“Manchester United coach, you cannot say that you’re not going to fight to win the league or Champions League. You have to mentally say, listen, maybe we don’t have that potential, but I cannot say that. We’re going to try. You have to try,” Ronaldo insisted.
His belief is that while rebuilding may take time, the ambition to win should never waver. This winning mentality, according to Ronaldo, is what sets top clubs apart from the rest, and he sees this as a key missing element in United’s current setup.
The Path Forward: Rebuilding from the Bottom
One of the key points Ronaldo highlighted in his interview was the need for Manchester United to undergo a complete rebuild. “They have to rebuild from the bottom. If not, they cannot compete. It will be impossible,” Ronaldo said, echoing sentiments that have been circulating among fans and pundits alike.
The club’s recent struggles have been well-documented, with frequent managerial changes, underperforming players, and off-pitch distractions.
According to Ronaldo, it’s not just the squad that needs an overhaul—the entire structure of the club, from the boardroom to the training ground, needs to be aligned with the goal of returning United to the pinnacle of English and European football.
Ronaldo is confident that with the right changes, Manchester United can get back to competing for the biggest trophies. He pointed to the recent takeover by Jim Ratcliffe as a positive step in the right direction but warned that much more needs to be done to unite the club and refocus its efforts.
“I believe that the future will be bright,” Ronaldo said, adding that the club must rely on more than just talent to succeed. “It’s all club, all, not only players, club, everything as a unit, united.”
Ronaldo’s Enduring Love for Manchester United
Despite his strained relationship with Erik ten Hag and his turbulent second stint at the club, Cristiano Ronaldo emphasized that he still holds Manchester United close to his heart.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner spent six seasons at Old Trafford earlier in his career, and during his second spell, he scored 27 goals in 54 appearances.
Although his exit was marked by controversy, with Ronaldo claiming he felt “betrayed” by the club’s handling of his situation, he remains hopeful for United’s future. “I love that club. I’m not happy the way it all happened but, in the same way, we cannot control some points of our life sometimes, but it’s done, already done,” he said.
Ronaldo expressed that his love for Manchester United will never fade, but he stressed that the club needs to adopt a winning mentality to match its history and reputation. “This is why they show, they start to change again, the structure of the club, the president, the infrastructures and everything. The owners of the club,” Ronaldo said, referring to the changes being implemented under Ratcliffe’s leadership.
The Future of Manchester United
As Manchester United continues to navigate its rebuilding phase, Ronaldo’s words serve as both a critique and a call to action.
His insistence on maintaining a winning mentality, even during difficult times, underscores the expectations that come with being part of a club of United’s stature.
For Erik ten Hag, the challenge lies in balancing the club’s long-term rebuild with the immediate demand for success—a task that is made all the more difficult by the club’s rich history and fervent fanbase.
With major changes underway in the club’s structure and ownership, the future of Manchester United remains uncertain but full of potential.
The team may be far from competing for the Premier League title, but with the right mindset and continued rebuilding efforts, they could soon return to their former glory.
For now, United fans can only hope that the changes in motion will yield results on the pitch. And for those seeking live betting opportunities, Jambobet offers live betting in Kenya, ensuring that bettors can stay engaged with every moment of the action.
