Cristiano Ronaldo has offered a candid assessment of his former club Manchester United, stating that the club must undergo a comprehensive rebuild to return to its former glory. Speaking on the upcoming episode of the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Ronaldo, who enjoyed a successful first stint at United from 2003 to 2009, shared his thoughts on the club’s current situation and future prospects.
At 39 years old, the Portugal forward remains deeply connected to Manchester United, a club where he won three Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy, and a Club World Cup during his initial spell. Despite his enduring affection for the club, Ronaldo emphasised the need for a fundamental overhaul if United aims to compete for top honours once again.
“The club needs to rebuild everything from the bottom up, in my opinion,” Ronaldo said. “They need 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.”
Ronaldo acknowledged the ongoing efforts by the club’s administration, particularly the investments being made in infrastructure under the leadership of INEOS boss Jim Ratcliffe. However, he stressed that beyond financial and structural investments, a deep and strategic revamp is essential for Manchester United to restore its status among the elite.
The club’s current manager, Erik Ten Hag, has faced increasing pressure following a difficult start to the season, with United suffering two defeats in their opening three games. Ronaldo suggested that Ten Hag should leverage the expertise of former teammate Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has been appointed as an assistant coach. Ronaldo believes that Van Nistelrooy’s intimate knowledge of the club could be instrumental in the rebuilding process.
“You cannot rebuild a club without knowledge,” Ronaldo commented. “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.”
Manchester United, currently positioned 14th in the Premier League, will face Southampton this Saturday. As the team navigates a challenging start to the season, Ronaldo’s insights underscore the need for both strategic changes and the utilization of internal knowledge to foster improvement and long-term success.
The call for a thorough rebuild reflects broader concerns about the club’s ability to compete at the highest levels and highlights the critical importance of both internal coherence and external investment in achieving footballing excellence.