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Ronaldo Hopes “Amazing” Manchester United Can Rebuild Club Structure Soon

Cristiano Ronaldo in action for Manchester United
IMAGE CREDIT: MANCHESTER UNITED

Portugal forward says watching the club play still makes him sad

Cristiano Ronaldo has said he “hopes” Manchester United can build the structure they need to return to the top but warned that manager Ruben Amorim cannot be expected to perform “miracles”.

Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013 the club have been unable to compete at the level of elite teams. Amorim was hired in November 2024 to head a new sporting project backed by new co-owners Ineos, but the Portuguese coach, leading the club to a record-low 15th-place finish last season and only managing to win successive Premier League games last month, nearly a year after his arrival.

“He’s doing his best,” Ronaldo said. “What are you gonna do, miracles? Miracles are impossible. We say in Portugal, miracles are only in Fatima. You’re not gonna do miracles.

“Even the players, Manchester United have good players but then some of them don’t have the mind, what is Manchester United.”

Ronaldo joined the club as a teenager in 2003 before leaving for Real Madrid in 2009. He later returned to Old Trafford for a second spell in 2021 before leaving in acrimonious circumstances due to a fallout with then manager Erik ten Hag. After his departure at the time Ronaldo publicly slammed the club for their poor structure and facilities and said they were no longer the club he knew.

Sharing his current feelings, the Portugal captain said: “I’m sad, because the club is one of the most important clubs in the world, and a club that I still have in my heart.

“But you have to follow with intelligent people, smart people, to create a base for the future. Manchester United right now, they don’t have a structure. I hope that changes, because the potential of the club is amazing.”

Ronaldo admitted he still watches United’s matches and is often left disheartened.

“Of course, because I was a player there,” he said. “I won the Champions League there, I won the Golden Ball there. Manchester United are still in my heart. I love that club.

“But we have to be honest and say they are not on a good path. And it’s not only about the coach and players, in my opinion.”

Now approaching the end of his career, Ronaldo said he is preparing for life beyond football.

“It will be very difficult,” said Ronaldo. “But I’ve prepared my future since I was 25 or 26. Nothing compares to the adrenaline of scoring a goal, but everything has a beginning and everything has an end. I’ll have more time for myself, for my family, to raise my kids.”

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