“If the coach listens to him, they can improve” - Cristiano Ronaldo names individual who can help Ten Hag revive Manchester United
Cristiano Ronaldo has urged Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag to pay heed to Ruud van Nistelrooy's advice. He believes the club's new assistant manager can help rebuild and improve United.
The Red Devils have had an awful start to the 2024-25 campaign, losing two of their first three Premier League games. After a last-gasp 1-0 victory over Fulham in their opening fixture, Ten Hag's side suffered back-to-back defeats to Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool, respectively.
The Dutch boss has been heavily scrutinized for Manchester United's performances in recent times, especially after Liverpool comfortably beat them 3-0 at Old Trafford.
Van Nistelrooy, who scored 150 goals in 219 games during his time at Manchester United, was appointed as assistant manager in the summer. Cristiano Ronaldo believes the Dutchman has a lot to offer for the club.
He said in an interview with Rio Ferdinand on his YouTube channel:
"I believe that Ruud [van Nistelrooy] 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 former Real Madrid man added:
"If Erik ten Hag listens to Ruud, maybe he can [help at mufc]. I think it can help a lot because he knows the club and the club should listen 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."
The Red Devils will next face Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday (14 September).
"You cannot say that you're not going to fight" - Cristiano Ronaldo states harsh truth about Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag
Cristiano Ronaldo has sent a brutal message to Erik ten Hag over his comments about Manchester United not being at the level to compete for the title.
The Red Devils were in turbulent form under Ten Hag last term and finished eighth in the league standings. Towards the tail end of last season, the Dutch boss claimed that the club could only compete for the top four spots with the squad available at his disposal.
Cristiano Ronaldo has criticized Ten Hag for his comments, insisting that the club's manager cannot harbor such a mentality. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner said:
"They need to rebuild everything, in my opinion. The coach, 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."