Ronaldo receives rapturous welcome from Al Nassr fans
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)
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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.
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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."