Cristiano Ronaldo backs former Manchester United team-mate for key role – 'If Erik Ten Hag listens'

Cristiano Ronaldo has sent a clear message to Erik ten Hag, advising the Manchester United manager to heed the wisdom of Ruud van Nistelrooy. Having played alongside the Dutchman at two different clubs, Ronaldo is convinced that Van Nistelrooy could have a significant role to play in United's revival.

Despite his second spell at Old Trafford ending in an early exit and a move to Al-Nassr, Ronaldo has not been shy about offering advice. The Portuguese icon has seen his time under Ten Hag curtailed but believes the recent arrival of Van Nistelrooy to the coaching staff could be the catalyst United need after their worst ever Premier League finish.

Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Ronaldo, 39, stressed the importance of tapping into the knowledge of past legends like Van Nistelrooy, who he shared a dressing room with at Manchester United and Real Madrid. And with the first team somewhat lacking in homegrown talent these days, an older head could be of great use.

“If Ten Hag listens to Ruud, maybe he can help the club,” Ronaldo said (via The Mirror). “I think he can help a lot. And the club should listen to the players who played there.”

“You [Rio Ferdinand] or Roy Keane or Paul Scholes or Gary Neville, whoever. Sir Alex Ferguson. You can't rebuild a club you don't understand.”

Ten Hag has been given the green light to shape United in his own image, splashing out on a host of players he knows on a more personal level. That includes Dutch stars like Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt, as well as familiar faces from Ajax, such as Antony, Lisandro Martinez and Andre Onana.

Van Nistelrooy, 48, has left his role as head coach at PSV Eindhoven to join Ten Hag's side at Old Trafford. And rumours around the Theatre of Dreams suggest that Van Nistelrooy could be waiting in the wings to take over if Ten Hag's tenure comes to an end.

Ronaldo also suggested that former players are more reliable coaches because “they understand” the inner workings of the dressing room and the needs of the players. However, he notably emphasised the word “if” when discussing the possibility of Ten Hag getting the best out of the former striker, suggesting that the manager will not really listen to his right-hand man's ideas.

Van Nistelrooy returned to his old lands as a true Manchester United legend, scoring 150 goals in 219 appearances for the club before joining Real Madrid in 2006, followed by Ronaldo three years later.

Not only did he win an FA Cup and a League Cup during his tenure, he also played a significant role in Ronaldo's early career at United. And it seems his contribution has had a lasting impact on the Portuguese superstar, who has singled out his former colleague as a potential key to unlocking United's potential.