Manchester United reportedly made modifications to their training ground renovation plans following a request by Cristiano Ronaldo on his return from Juventus.
The club plan on renovating Old Trafford and their Carrington training ground after complaints by fans and players. United have fallen behind their rivals in this regard, with the likes of Tottenham and Manchester City boasting state-of-the-art facilities.
Ronaldo, 37, is one of United's biggest stars after winning the Ballon d'Or five times. The three-time Premier League champion re-signed for United last August and was reportedly disappointed with the facilities on offer, submitting a request to club chiefs.
As reported by The Athletic, United made 'interim modifications' to their long-term renovation plans after Ronaldo raised worrying concerns. It's believed his biggest complaints were to do with the condition of the swimming pool and sauna.
Ronaldo enjoyed a state-of-the-art hotel and training facilities located near the Allianz Stadium during his time at Juventus. United, meanwhile, have to make a trip across Manchester on matchdays - travelling from the Lowry Hotel to Old Trafford.
Remarkably, it's claimed both the swimming pool and sauna had not been renovated since Ronaldo first left the club for Real Madrid way back in 2009. That's a measure of the lack of work the Glazers - the club's owners - have sanctioned during the last decade.
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United's need to renovate Old Trafford and Carrington is no secret. Speaking earlier this month, Gary Neville slammed the Glazers for allowing United's stadium to go to rust.
"The embedded failure over a 10-year period and where the club currently are has to come back to the ownership," Neville told Sky Sports. "I blamed Ed Woodward for a long time but the reality is the Glazer family left him in situ, when he shouldn't have been left in situ in charge of the football side.
"They've still not dealt with the football operation; they've still not dealt with the player and recruitment department; they've still not dealt with the stadium which is rusting and needs massive money spent on it. Manchester United need a billion pounds in this next two-three years to either rebuild or renovate that stadium.
"They probably need another £500-£600m on a training ground and other infrastructure projects and football investment. They've only got £40-£50m cash left in the bank, they were cash rich three years ago when they had £350m in the bank but they've no longer got that. Something is going to have to give."
Ronaldo will be hoping the facilities at Carrington will improve during the coming months after manager Erik ten Hag confirmed the player will remain at Old Trafford this summer. The Portuguese forward was seeking a transfer to play Champions League football.
"That's clear, of course," said Ten Hag when asked if Ronaldo is staying at United on Wednesday. "I just said we need quality players, and you need more to cover all the games, to keep the consistency going - that is what we strive for."
