Manchester United recently saw Cristiano Ronaldo leave the club by mutual consent.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been criticised by Manchester United staff members ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Manchester City. The Portugal international left the club by mutual consent back in November after a bombshell interview with Piers Morgan. He’s since moved to Saudi Arabia, joining Al-Sadd, having previously hoped to receive an offer from a top European side.
Ronaldo was a key player for United last season, scoring 24 goals across all competitions amid a shambolic campaign under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.
Yet he regressed prior to his departure, finding the net just three times – with a mere one of those goals coming in the Premier League.
Now, according to Sky Sports, Ronaldo had coveted more power than both of his managers last term.
It’s also said the Red Devils hierarchy were ‘at his whim’ and that every department, stretching from the medical to media personnel, was forced to fall in line.
One staff member said they were there ‘to serve Cristiano’, who often got his way.
A colleague who worked with Rangnick at United also hit out at Ronaldo for making himself unavailable for their 4-1 defeat to City back in March.
Man Utd staff members have criticised Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of Man City clash (Image: GETTY)
He had been informed he would be left on the bench for the match at the Etihad, much to his dismay.
And Ronaldo then decided to jet off to Portugal, with United covering for the veteran by saying he was ‘injured’.
The staff member said: “You had a player diagnosing himself, ruling himself out, leaving the club with no form of rehab plan without any permission.
“Instead of any punishment, he was excused and there were excuses for him.
“It showed the rest of the players that Ronaldo was above any rules and that he was the one in control.”
It is a different story at United these days, however, with Erik ten Hag bringing much-needed order to Old Trafford.
Man Utd re-signed Cristiano Ronaldo back in the summer of 2021 (Image: GETTY)
The Dutchman’s reign started badly, with dire defeats to the likes of Brighton and Brentford.
United were also thumped 6-3 by City at the start of October, with the Red Devils outplayed and outfought by their opponents.
But they’ve since bounced back and are now confident of bringing success back to the club after years of toiling.
United are fourth in the league table and can go one point behind City if they’re able to reign supreme in Saturday’s derby.
They’re through to the Carabao Cup semi-finals, where they’ll face Nottingham Forest, with Reading up next in the FA Cup.
And the Red Devils also remain in contention to win the Europa League, too, having made the last 16 of that competition.
Man Utd indulged Cristiano Ronaldo under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick (Image: GETTY)
Former United star Rio Ferdinand, meanwhile, has been delighted with the form of his old side.
But he still thinks it’s too early to judge the Red Devils and whether they’re good enough to last the course.
“I think it’s too early to say,” he said. “We’ve been here with previous managers when it looks like we are onto something.
“We’ve got to be patient and give the man time. I think all the signs are very positive at the moment.
“He’s come in and seen what is happening, assessed how things are, looked at individuals and looked at the shape of the team.
Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag refused to bow down to Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford (Image: GETTY)
“These were a bunch of players that were quite low. They were shot to pieces and he’s had to build, not only footballers, but men back up again. He’s had to build a lot of human beings back up and that takes time.
“The fact he’s now talking about qualifying for the Champions League so positively, he can sense a confidence coming back into this team.
“There’s a consistency of performance from the team that wasn’t there before and the signals and signs are all very promising.
“But they’re still not where they want to be. City are way ahead of where United are.
“The distance is a bit closer, but it’s still not anywhere near where we want it to be. There’s still work to be done.”
Manchester United signs Wout Weghorst on loan after Ronaldo exit
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was determined to bolster his attack following Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit in November, leading to the signing of Dutch striker Wout Weghorst
Netherlands’ Wout Weghorst celebrates after scoring against Argentina in their FIFA World Cup quarterfinal in Qatar. The striker has joined Manchester United on a loan | Photo Credit: Reuters
Manchester United has moved to fill the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo by signing Netherlands striker Wout Weghorst on loan from Burnley until the end of the season.
United manager Erik ten Hag was determined to bolster his attack following Ronaldo’s exit in November.
Weghorst, who was already on loan at Turkish club Besiktas, will not be eligible to play against Manchester City in the English Premier League on Saturday because he was not registered in time.
“Wout has a consistent goalscoring record across several European leagues, and his attributes will add a further dimension to our squad,” United football director John Murtough said on Friday.
Weghorst appears an unlikely replacement for Ronaldo, who had his contract terminated by United in November after an explosive interview with Piers Morgan in which he criticized Ten Hag and the club owners.
Ronaldo has since signed for Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr.
“I feel privileged to be joining Manchester United,” Weghorst said. “I’ve played against the club in the past and it’s a fantastic feeling to now have the chance to pull on the famous red shirt. I’ve seen United’s progress under Erik ten Hag and can’t wait to start playing my part in pushing the team towards its aims.
“Whatever happens in the next few months, I can promise to give everything to the club.”
In pursuit of a trophy
Ten Hag was keen to bring in cover in attack to boost his team’s push for Champions League qualification and its pursuit of a trophy in his first season in charge.
Ronaldo’s departure left United with only two senior strikers in Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford.
Weghorst played for the Netherlands at the World Cup in Qatar and scored twice in the dramatic quarterfinal against Argentina. His goals sent the match to extra time and penalties before Argentina won 4-3 in the shootout.
The 30-year-old Weghorst has eight goals for Besiktas this season, including two in his last three games.
Weghorst joined Burnley in a $15 million deal from German club Wolfsburg in January last year. He managed only two goals in 20 appearances as Burnley was relegated from the Premier League.
United was linked with a move for Cody Gakpo this month but the Netherlands forward instead joined rival Liverpool.
Ten Hag is expected to move for a long-term replacement for Ronaldo in the summer, with Harry Kane among the players linked.
United midfielder Donny van de Beek has been ruled out for the rest of the season by a knee injury.
Source: express.co.uk; thehindu.com
