Cristiano Ronaldo appears to have reignited his tense relationship with Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag, offering some pointed advice in a snippet from his upcoming YouTube video.
In a conversation with former United teammate Rio Ferdinand, Ronaldo discusses how a high-profile coach like Ten Hag needs to be consistently prepared to compete at the top level.
This snippet has already generated significant buzz, adding to the headlines from Ronaldo’s upcoming video, which also features his Ballon d’Or predictions and reflections on his time at Real Madrid. Ronaldo’s comments on Manchester United’s need for a rebuild have particularly stirred the pot, especially given his strained history with Ten Hag.
“As I told you (Rio Ferdinand), Manchester United, they need to rebuild everything, in my opinion…The coach, they say they cannot compete to win the League and Champions League. (As) Manchester United coach, you cannot say that you’re not going to fight to win the League or Champions League,” Ronaldo said.
Ronaldo suggests that Ten Hag should seek guidance from Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has recently been brought on as an assistant coach at United. Ronaldo sees van Nistelrooy’s recruitment as a positive step in United’s rebuilding efforts and believes Ten Hag could learn more about the club’s heritage and expectations from the Dutch football legend.
“If Ten Hag listen to Ruud, maybe he can (help himself), 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, whatever, Sir Alex Ferguson. You cannot, you cannot rebuild a club without knowledge. Not guys who work in office. They understand,” Ronaldo added.
Ronaldo’s relationship with United has been complicated since his return to the club in 2021. After a strong start to his second stint at Old Trafford, Ronaldo found himself falling out of favor under Ten Hag, ultimately leading to his departure from the club. This split was marked by Ronaldo’s critical interview with Piers Morgan, where he openly criticized Ten Hag’s management style.
Since Ronaldo’s departure, United has undergone significant changes, including INEOS acquiring a substantial stake in the club. However, the team has struggled to find its footing this season, losing the FA Community Shield and both of their Premier League fixtures so far.
Despite Ronaldo expressing his love for Manchester United in the snippet, the strained relationship between him and Ten Hag remains evident.