Cristiano Ronaldo has backed Ruben Amorim to turn around Manchester United’s fortunes by insisting the “storm will end” at Old Trafford under his fellow Portuguese.
Amorim has had a difficult start to life at United, losing five of his first 10 games in charge of the club since succeeding Erik ten Hag last month.
The 39-year-old even suggested after Boxing Day’s 2-0 defeat at Wolves – a third successive defeat in all competitions – that his job would be in danger if United did not find form soon.
“He (Amorim) has done a fantastic job in Portugal with my (club) Sporting,” Ronaldo said while speaking at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai where the Al Nassra forward was named 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 can’t possibly “feel comfortable” in his position at Old Trafford, especially after a run of three consecutive defeats
“I knew it would be hard and the storm would continue. But the storm will end and the sun will rise.
“Fingers are crossed, he’ll be fine and I hope for the best for Manchester United because it’s a club I still love.”
Ronaldo: ‘Same’ problem at Man Utd
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 presenter and journalist Piers Morgan.
United terminated Ronaldo’s contract with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner critical of owners the Glazer family, the standard of facilities at the club and then-manager Ten Hague.
Ronaldo said: “I said it a year and a half ago and I will continue to say it: the problem is not the coaches.
Ronaldo was named the best player in the Middle East 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 fix the problem.
“If you put him back in the aquarium, he’ll be sick again. That’s Manchester United’s problem. It’s the same.”
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Highlights of the Premier League match between Wolves and Manchester United
Boyhood fan Sir Jim Ratcliffe took a stake in United following Ronaldo’s departure to Saudi Arabia and now owns almost 29 per cent of the club.
Ratcliffe’s company Ineos controls football operations at Old Trafford, but despite winning the FA Cup last season, fortunes on the pitch have not improved.
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Manchester United defender Harry Maguire says the team has faith in new head coach Ruben Amorim and is backing him to be successful because he is a ‘winner’.
United are currently 14th in the Premier League, just eight points above the relegation zone.
Asked if the situation at United was the same as when he left, Ronaldo replied: “100 percent. If I were the owner of the club, I would clarify things and adjust what I think is bad there.
“I am still very young, I have so many plans and dreams ahead of me. Mark my words that I will definitely be the owner of a big club.”
