Cristiano Ronaldo backs Ruben Amorim for success at Man Utd

Carlo Garganese

• 17 Nov 2024 15:00 GMT
• 3 min read

Cristiano Ronaldo has offered his backing to new Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim.

Amorim was named as the new Man Utd head coach following the sacking of Erik ten Hag.

Amorim’s first official day at Man Utd after leaving Sporting Lisbon was on Monday, with his first official game as manager coming against Ipswich Town on 24 November.

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The 39-year-old has a huge task on his hands to awaken the sleeping giant but he has received backing from one of the giants in the history of Man Utd and football in general.

"I wish him all the luck in the world,” Ronaldo said following Portugal’s 5-1 win over Poland in the UEFA Nations League.

“Manchester United really need it."

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Ronaldo problems with Ten Hag

Ronaldo is far more positive over the prospects of United under Amorim than he was under his predecessor Erik ten Hag, who he had an infamous falling-out with in 2022.

Ronaldo’s contract at Man Utd was rescinded in November 2022 after an explosive interview with Piers Morgan.

Ronaldo caused huge controversy ahead of the World Cup by sitting down for a no-holds barred interview with TalkTV journalist Morgan.

During the interview, Ronaldo slammed a number of key figures at Man Utd, including current manager Erik ten Hag, past manager Ralf Rangnick, owners The Glazers and club legends Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville.

He accused Ten Hag and others of betraying him and trying to force him out of the club and was heavily critical of the way Man Utd was being run.

The fallout from this interview was cataclysmic in the football world.

Ronaldo’s contract was subsequently rescinded by Man Utd before the World Cup began and he eventually joined Saudi side Al-Nassr in January 2023.

Ten Hag, meanwhile, fell well short of the standards required of a Man Utd manager.

Despite winning the League Cup and FA Cup, Ten Hag endured a disastrous 2023-24 season, failing to qualify for the Champions League and being eliminated in this season’s competition in the groups. He was finally sacked after a disastrous start to the 2024-25 season, with Ruben Amorim replacing him.