‘The progress was zero’ – Cristiano Ronaldo claims Man Utd haven’t moved on from Sir Alex Ferguson era in brutal verdict
CRISTIANO RONALDO delivered a damning verdict on Manchester United by claiming the club hasn’t moved on since the Sir Alex Ferguson era.
The star let rip at the club and boss Erik ten Hag in an exclusive interview with Piers Morgan in The Sun today.
Ronaldo, 37, left for Real Madrid in 2009 before making a stunning return in August 2021.
Asked whether United had changed in that time, Ronaldo told Piers: “The progress was zero.
“Since Sir Alex left, I saw no evolution in the club. Nothing had changed.
“He [Ferguson] knows better than anybody that the club is not on the path they deserve to be. He knows. Everyone knows.
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“The people who don’t see that… it’s because they don’t want to see. They are blind.
“I think the fans should know the truth. I want the best for the club. This is why I come to Manchester United.
“But you have some things inside that don’t help (us) reach the top level as City, Liverpool and even now Arsenal.
“A club with this dimension should be top of the tree in my opinion and they are not unfortunately.”
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Ronaldo says it will require drastic changes to make United title challengers again – including him leaving.
He added: “You have to destroy it to rebuild it and if they start with me, for me, it’s not a problem.
“I love Manchester United, I love the fans, they’re always on my side.
“But if they want to do it different… they have to change many, many things.”
Ronaldo may never pull on the United shirt again after his brutal blast at boss Ten Hag.
He said: “I don’t have respect for him because he doesn’t show respect for me.
“If you don’t have respect for me, I’m never gonna have respect for you.”
RON SEES RED
Last month Ronaldo stormed down the tunnel after refusing to come off the bench during United’s 2-0 home win against Tottenham. Ten Hag described that as ‘unacceptable’.
The star – who won three Prem titles and the Champions League in his first stint at United – had riled his manager in pre-season when he swiftly left Old Trafford after being subbed in a friendly against Villarreal.
Ronaldo yesterday missed United’s final game before the break for the World Cup – citing illness.
He is set to fly out to Qatar in the next 48 hours to join up with the Portugal squad for the finals.
Ahead of yesterday’s 2-1 win at Fulham, Ten Hag said: “He’s always a big issue because he’s one of the best ever. It’s great to work with him.
“The players and the team are really happy to have him in the dressing room.”
Ronaldo also blasted former United team-mate Wayne Rooney who has urged United to let him go.
He said: “I don’t know why he criticises me so badly… probably because he finished his career and I’m still playing at a high level.
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Watch Piers Morgan Uncensored weekdays on Sky 526, Virgin Media 606, Freeview 237, Freesat 217 or on Fox Nation in the US