Cristiano Ronaldo has backed Ruben Amorim to turn around Manchester United’s fortunes, insisting the “storm will end” at Old Trafford under his Portuguese compatriot.
Amorim has had a difficult start to life at United, losing five of his first 10 games in charge since succeeding Erik ten Hag last month.
The 39-year-old even suggested after the 2-0 defeat on Boxing Day, a third successive defeat in all competitions, that his job would be in danger if United did not find form soon.
“He (Amorim) did a fantastic job in Portugal with my (club) Sporting,” Ronaldo said while speaking at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai, where the Al Nasri forward was named the Middle East Player of the Year 2024.
“But the Premier League is a different beast, the most competitive league in the world.
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Amorim says every manager is under pressure and there is no way he can be “comfortable” in his position at Old Trafford, especially after three successive defeats.
“I knew it was going to be rough and they would continue to storm, but the storm will end and the sun will rise.
“Fingers crossed he’ll be fine and I hope the best for Manchester United because it’s a club I still love.”
Ronaldo: “The same problem in MSU”.
Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United for the second time at the end of 2022
Ronaldo’s second spell at United ended in November 2022 after an explosive TV interview with broadcaster and journalist Piers Morgan.
United terminated Ronaldo’s contract with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, criticizing owners the Glazer family, the standard of the club’s facilities and then-manager Ten Haag.
Ronaldo said: “I said this a year and a half ago and I will continue to say it. the problem is not the trainers.
Ronaldo was named the Middle East Player of the Year at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai
“It’s like an aquarium and you have a fish in there and it’s sick and you take it out and you fix the problem.
“If you put it back in the aquarium, it will be sick again. That’s the problem with Manchester United.”
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Premier League Wolves v Manchester United highlights
Boyhood fan Sir Jim Ratcliffe bought shares in United after Ronaldo left for Saudi Arabia and now owns almost 29 per cent of the club.
Ratcliffe’s company Ineos oversees football operations at Old Trafford but, despite last season’s FA Cup winner, fortunes on the pitch have not improved.
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Manchester United defender Harry Maguire says the team believe in new manager Ruben Amorim and are backing him to succeed because he is a “winner”.
United are now 14th in the Premier League, just eight points above the relegation zone.
When asked if the situation in “United” is the same as when he left, Ronaldo answered:
“I’m still very young, I have many plans and dreams ahead of me. Mark my words, I will definitely own a big club.”
