What Cristiano Ronaldo REALLY thinks of his Man Utd return

Robin Bairner

• 30 Oct 2022 08:50 GMT
• 3 min read

Cristiano Ronaldo believes that his return to Manchester United has been a “disaster”, according to a new book.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner made a much-acclaimed move back to Man Utd from Juventus in the summer of 2021, with the Red Devils hijacking him from Manchester City in one of the most remarkable deals of recent years.

Although Ronaldo scored 24 times on his return to Old Trafford after a 12-year absence, the campaign ultimately ended in disappointment as his side finished outside of the Champions League spots.

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On a personal level, what has followed is worse. Ronaldo missed much of pre-season – the official reason given was because of personal reasons – but he also pushed for a summer transfer that did not come to fruition. He has since fallen out of favour with new manager Erik ten Hag and was frozen out of the squad to play Chelsea last weekend for disciplinary reasons.

Ronaldo has scored only three goals this season – two against Sheriff in the Europa League – and is set to push for a departure in January.

Little wonder, then, he does not rate his decision to come back to Man Utd highly.

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Why is Ronaldo unhappy at Man Utd?

The book, ‘Messi vs Ronaldo: One Rivalry, Two GOATs, and the Era That Remade the World’s Game’, explains that there are several aspects of the current club that have shocked the superstar.

According to the book, Ronaldo is frustrated about the manner the club’s Carrington training ground has been allowed to age and he feels like the club in general has not evolved since he left for Real Madrid in 2009.

Furthermore, the level of professionalism from the squad, he feels, is not adequate and does not match his own.

Indeed, this led to him telling a senior FIFA official last season: “This is a disaster.”

It remains to be seen if Ronaldo can find a way out of Man Utd in January, but with a matter of weeks before the window opens, it looks unlikely, despite a suggestion he could yet return to Sporting CP.