Cristiano Ronaldo has told his former club Manchester United to rebuild everything from the bottom up if they are to compete for top silverware again.
The 39-year-old Portugal forward, now at Saudi Arabia club Al-Nassr, won three English Premier League titles, the UEFA Champions League and a FIFA Club World Cup during his first spell at Manchester United from 2003 to 2009 under Sir Alex Ferguson.
He says he still loves the club, who finished eighth in the league last season. despite leaving under acrimonious circumstances in 2022.
Speaking on the ‘Rio Ferdinand Presents’ podcast set to air on Thursday, Ronaldo said he was happy with the way the club’s administrators, led by INEOS boss Jim Ratcliffe, were investing in infrastructure.
“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,” he said.
“I believe that the future will be bright. I believe, but they don’t depend only on the talents. They have to rebuild from the bottom. If not, they cannot compete. It will be impossible.”
United manager Erik Ten Hag has come under fire already this season after two defeats in their opening three games.
Ronaldo said he should lean on his former United teammate Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was hired as an assistant coach, also advising the manager to change his mentality.
“You cannot rebuild a club without knowledge,” he said. “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 a little bit the club.
“The coach (Ten Hag), they say they cannot compete to win the league and Champions League. Manchester United coach, you cannot say that you’re not going to fight to win the league or Champions League.
“You have to be, 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.”
United, who are 14th in the league, are away to Southampton on Saturday.
