Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted he is “sad” at the current state of Manchester United, saying the club he still loves lacks structure and direction. The Portuguese legend also defended current manager Ruben Amorim, insisting the coach is “doing his best” but given the situation at Old Trafford, miracles cannot be expected from him.
Amorim recently led United to three consecutive wins for the first time since taking charge but saw his side held to a 2-2 draw by Nottingham Forest on Saturday – a result which coincided with his first anniversary in charge. The Portuguese manager’s first season at the club was turbulent as United finished a miserable 14th in the Premier League and went trophyless after losing in the Europa League final, ultimately missing out on European qualification altogether.
Ronaldo who left Manchester United in November 2022 after an explosive conversation with Piers Morgan, he believes that while Amorim is doing what he can, the club’s problems run much deeper.
“I’m sad because it’s one of the most important clubs in the world, a club that’s still in my heart,” striker Al Nassr told Morgan in a recent interview. “You have to work with smart people to build a base for the future, like Manchester did many years ago with Nicky Butt, Gary (Neville), (Roy) Keane, (David) Beckham – they became big players but they had youth. Manchester United don’t have the structure right now.
“I hope that will change in the current future because the potential of the club is amazing. It is one of the most important clubs of the century… We all have to be honest and say that they are not on the right track. They need to change. In my opinion it is not just about the coach and the players, it is about much more.”
Ronaldo, who spent six glittering years at Old Trafford winning three Premier League titles and the Champions League during his first spell at Old Trafford, said he felt real pain watching his former club play.
“Of course, because I played there for many years. I won the Champions League there, the Ballon d’Or. I won many titles there. I love that club.”
Despite United showing signs of progress under Amorim of late, Ronaldo insisted the new manager should not be burdened with unrealistic expectations.
“He’s doing what he can,” Ronaldo said. “What will he do – miracles? That’s impossible. As they say in Portugal, miracles happen at (the shrine of) Ftima.”
The Portugal captain also questioned whether all current United players really understand the club’s ethos.
“The players United have got are good players but some of them don’t have (in their) mind what Manchester United is,” he said.
Ronaldo scored 145 goals in 346 games in two spells with the Red Devils. After his first stint, he joined Real Madrid in 2009 and returned to Manchester in 2021, only to leave again in early 2023 for Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr.
– The end
Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
November 5, 2025
Tune in
