Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo was heavily criticised for some of his negative comments about Manchester United shortly before his departure in early 2023. However, one of his rants about the young players at Old Trafford looks to have been confirmed by current manager Ruben Amorim.
One of the greatest players in football history, CR7 returned home to a hero's welcome at Old Trafford in 2021. His arrival from Juventus for a second spell in England looked like it would propel the Red Devils in the right direction after years in the abyss since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement.
What followed, however, was an up-and-down spell which ended on extremely bad terms after a public spat between Ronaldo and Erik ten Hag. After bagging more than 20 goals in his first season back at the Theatre of Dreams, the Portuguese star fell out of favour and quickly started going public with his frustrations.
Image of Cristiano Ronaldo and Erik Ten Hag both at Man Utd
Cristiano Ronaldo Slammed Man Utd's Young Players in 2022
Cristiano Ronaldo
In an explosive late-2022 interview with Piers Morgan for TalkTV, Ronaldo took aim at the younger generation of footballers, who he claimed lack the same discipline and drive as those of his day. He said (per ESPN):
He then went on to explain he didn't just mean the younger stars at Old Trafford, but he was highlighting a general problem in world football. Ronaldo added: "I don't mean only a few in Manchester United, but all the teams, in all leagues in the world, the youngsters are not the same as my generation. But we cannot blame them, because it's part of life and the new generation, the new technologies that distract them. They are not the same... they listen to one thing and in two minutes they have already forgotten and do whatever they think is better."
When he first rocked up in England as a teenager, the Portugal international had Premier League and Champions League-winning heroes everywhere he looked. Recalling the positive influences he had, Ronaldo continued:
Ruben Amorim Hits Out at 'Entitled' Man Utd Youth Players
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim shouts during the Bournemouth draw
Ruben Amorim has had his fair share of difficulties with the youth players in his Man Utd squad. The current manager was criticised for his treatment of Kobbie Mainoo and even received backlash from Harry Amass and Chido Obi on social media.
The 40-year-old has now hit out at the 'entitled' attitudes of the young players at his disposal. Amorim said in a recent press conference: "I think it is a little bit the feeling of entitlement we have in our club.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim staring.
"Sometimes, strong words are not bad words. Sometimes, difficult moments are not bad things for the kids. We don’t need to be always with accolades in everything, in every situation.
Those comments sound eerily similar to Ronaldo's, which came over three years earlier. The culture within the ranks at Carrington has come into question yet again, proving CR7 may have had a point all along, even if he didn't express it in the best way possible.