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Souness reckons the management should have listened to Ronaldo when the Portuguese striker shared his suggestions about the squad requiring a complete rebuilt from the bottom-up.
Graeme Souness. (X)
Scottish football legend Graeme Souness reckons Cristiano Ronaldo was right with his assessment when he criticised Manchester United during his second spell at the club. The Portuguese superstar arrived at Old Trafford from Juventus in 2021. He parted ways with the Premier League side in the next winter following a public dispute with the then-boss, Erik Ten Hag. In a bombshell interview with Rio Ferdinand, Ronaldo claimed that the United team would need a “rebuild from the bottom. Souness reckons the management should have “listened to Ronaldo” when he shared his suggestions about the squad.
“When Cristiano returned to Old Trafford, he was the perfect role model for the players in United’s squad. He is the consummate professional, someone who demands the highest standards from himself and those around him”, the former Liverpool star said, as per The Mirror.
“He was disappointed with what he found when he returned to the club. He questioned whether people cared enough about their profession. Over the last decade, since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, United have lacked senior pros who are capable of dragging the team with them,” he added.
Souness felt that Ronaldo chose to leave because the Old Trafford hierarchy failed to fulfil its promises in terms of signing quality players. “I’m talking about one of the greatest players who has ever kicked a ball. It was folly for the decision-makers at Old Trafford not to listen to him,” the 71-year-old said.
“I think Cristiano’s ego made him think that someone at the top of the club would listen to him. But nobody did – and more than two years later, United are no further forward….When you play for Liverpool or United, you have to have attitude as well as ability. That’s the price on the ticket for wearing the shirt,” he explained further.
With Ruben Amorim in charge, Manchester United are on the verge of registering the worst-ever Premier League finish in history. The Red Devils remain 14th on the points table, having managed 10 wins and 8 draws in 33 matches.
United should put their entire focus on the Europa League for the rest of the season. They have already reached the semi-finals of the continental event, overcoming Lyon at an aggregate score of 7-6. United will meet Athletic Bilbao in the semi-finals, with the first leg scheduled for May 2.
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