Cristiano Ronaldo hinted he could one day own Man Utd (Image: YouTube/Global Soccer Awards)
Cristiano Ronaldo has criticized Manchester United and Sir Jim Ratcliffe for failing to make changes at the club and insisted their manager cannot be blamed for their on-field struggles.
The Portuguese infamously fell out with Erik ten Hag during his second spell at Old Trafford and left the club in December 2022 after having his contract mutually terminated.
Ronaldo made a number of claims about the apparent toxic atmosphere under the Glazers in a wide-ranging interview with Piers Morgan, and also claimed he had no respect for Ten Hag.
He also attacked his former club mates such as Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney as he left the club.
But it seems the 39-year-old, who currently plays in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr, has sympathized with the Dutchman – and claims nothing has changed in the two years since his departure.
With United now 14th in the Premier League after struggling to get back to winning ways under new manager Ruben Amorim, Ronaldo refused to point the finger at his compatriot and suggested their problems started all together. at the top with a strange fish analogy.
“I said it a year ago and I will continue to say it, the problem is not the coach,” Ronaldo said at the Globe Soccer Awards.
“It's like Aquarius. If you have the fish in there, it's sick, and you take it out, then you fix the problem, then you put it back in Aquarius, it'll be sick again. And it's like Aquarius. that's the problem.
Cristiano Ronaldo currently plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia (Image: Getty)
“Manchester United is the same. The problem is not just the manager, it's much more than that… 100 percent [it is still the same]”.
Ratcliffe has come under fire since taking a 27.7 per cent stake in United for £1.4 billion, with his INEOS scheme criticized for introducing brutal cuts to the club's non-football staff and for failing to shake off expensive flops such as Antony.
When asked if he had had any discussions with the Glazers about purchasing a stake in the club in the future, Ronaldo indicated that he had already considered the idea of helping to to manage United – and vowed to one day own a “big club”.
“If I will be the owner of the club [Manchester United]“I will clarify things and adjust what I think is wrong,” Ronaldo added.
Man Utd head of football operations Sir Jim Ratcliffe criticized (Image: Getty)
“I am still very young, I have so many projects and dreams in front of me. Mark my words, [one day] I will be the owner of a big club.”
While Ronaldo's net worth puts him well below British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the Portuguese superstar may well have the funds to buy another renowned club in Europe's five leagues.
Ronaldo is estimated to be worth £613 million ($800 million), having earned £344 million from his contract at Al-Nassr alone. He also earns substantial sums from sponsorship deals with Nike, Adidas, Herbalife and Unilever.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has also been linked with a managerial role at his boyhood club Sporting as he hangs up his boots.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1993598/Cristiano-Ronaldo-Man-Utd-Sir-Jim-Ratcliffe