Cristiano Ronaldo insists he is happy to remain at Manchester United, but admits things must change for new manager Erik ten Hag to replicate his Ajax success.
Despite his contract having another season left to run and with the option for another 12 months, not to mention a number of match-winning displays this term, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s future at Old Trafford had become subject to considerable doubt as many questioned the 37-year-old’s suitability for a full-scale rebuild under new leadership.
However, Ronaldo always insisted that he wanted to remain at United, while Ten Hag was quick to confirm that the Portuguese superstar did indeed figure prominently in his plans for the future.
And while Ronaldo is hopeful of claiming trophies under the former Ajax head coach, he insists plenty must change after a dismal season under previous incumbent Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and interim successor Ralf Rangnick that led to a sixth-place finish and a lowest-ever Premier League points haul of just 58.
United have not won a major honour since lifting the Europa League under Jose Mourinho in 2017 and last won the Premier League title in Sir Alex Ferguson’s last season at the helm in 2013.
“I knew he [Ten Hag] did a fantastic job for Ajax and that he’s an experienced coach but we need to give him time and things need to change the way he wants,” Ronaldo said in a video posted to United’s official Twitter account on Friday.
“I hope we have success of course because if you have success, all of Manchester are going to have success as well. So I wish him the best.
“We are happy and excited - not only the players, but the supporters as well. I wish him the best and let’s believe that next year we’re going to win trophies.
“For me, the most important thing is to try to win the games and try to win some championship or some cup but I believe that Manchester will be where they belong.”
United’s terrible 2021/22 campaign led to repeated reports of Ronaldo’s unhappiness back at United and potential regret at having returned to the club from Juventus last summer.
However, he remains adamant that he is content in Manchester and is grateful for having always retained the faith of supporters.
“I was happy of course, to be back in a club that really raised my career so it was unbelievable, the feeling when I came back again,” he said. “It was nice to feel the supporters, the happiness of them was great. I was and still am very happy to be here.
“And what I have to say to the fans is they are amazing even when you lost games they always support us, they’re always are with us. The supporters are always in my heart and it’s the people that we all should respect because they are always on our side.”
