Cristiano Ronaldo Delivers Brutal Verdict: “Man United Don’t Have Structure” But Club “Still in My Heart”

In a bombshell interview that has sent shockwaves through the football world, Cristiano Ronaldo has delivered a scathing assessment of Manchester United’s current state, declaring that the club “don’t have a structure” while expressing his enduring love for his former team. The Portuguese superstar’s latest comments to Piers Morgan have reignited debate about United’s struggles and the challenges facing manager Ruben Amorim.

Speaking candidly about his former club, Ronaldo stated: “Manchester United right now don’t have a structure. I hope it will change as it’s still one of the best clubs in the world. Manchester United is still in my heart, I love them.” However, his assessment was far from gentle: “They need to change. It’s not only about the coach/players, in my view.“

The Structural Crisis at Old Trafford

Ronaldo’s comments come at a time when Manchester United continue to struggle under Ruben Amorim’s management, with the Portuguese coach facing intense scrutiny after a disappointing start to his tenure. The Al-Nassr forward’s assessment touches on deeper institutional problems that he believes go beyond the playing staff and coaching setup.

“For me, I’m sad because of the club, that’s one of the most important clubs in the world, and a club that I still have in my heart because of the obvious reasons,” Ronaldo explained during the explosive interview. “You have to follow with the intelligent people, smart people, to create a base for the future as Manchester United have [done] so many years ago.”

The statistics paint a stark picture of United’s decline since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, with no manager achieving sustained success comparable to the legendary Scotsman’s era.

Ronaldo’s Assessment of Ruben Amorim

Despite his criticism of the club’s structure, Ronaldo offered support for current manager Ruben Amorim, acknowledging the impossible task facing his compatriot. “He’s doing his best. What are you going to do? Miracles. Miracles is impossible. We say in Portugal, ‘Miracles is only in Fatima’… And he’s not gonna do miracles.”

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner went further, suggesting that some players don’t understand the magnitude of representing Manchester United: “They have good players but they don’t have, some of them, in mind what Manchester United is.”

The Numbers Behind United’s Struggles

Amorim’s tenure has been marked by disappointing results that validate Ronaldo’s concerns about the club’s direction. The Portuguese manager inherited a team in disarray and has struggled to implement his philosophy effectively.

Amorim’s Performance Statistics:

Under Amorim’s management, United finished a disastrous 15th in the Premier League last season – their worst-ever finish – and lost the Europa League final 1-0 to Tottenham, missing out on Champions League qualification.

The Historical Context of United’s Decline

Ronaldo’s criticism echoes themes from his infamous 2022 interview with Morgan, which led to the termination of his contract with United. His latest comments suggest little has changed in the two years since his departure, despite significant investment in players and infrastructure.

The Portuguese legend referenced United’s golden generation that emerged under Ferguson: “Nicky Butt, Gary [Neville], Roy Keane, Beckham, they became big players but they had youth.” This comparison highlights his belief that the current setup lacks the foundation necessary to develop such talent.

The Title Race Reality Check

When asked about United’s chances in the current Premier League season, Ronaldo was brutally honest: “It’s not possible for them to win the Premier League. They’re already too many points behind Arsenal.” This assessment reflects the eight-point gap between United and league leaders Arsenal, despite United’s recent improvement under Amorim.

The club currently sits in eighth place following a recent upturn in form, having won three consecutive matches against Sunderland, Liverpool, and Brighton in October 2025. However, this positive run came after a disastrous start to the season that saw them compared unfavorably to relegation-threatened teams.

Investment vs. Results

Ronaldo’s comments about structural issues become more poignant when considering United’s massive financial investment since the Glazer family’s ownership began. The club has spent over £1.5 billion on player transfers since Ferguson’s retirement, yet remains distant from their former glory.

Recent significant investments include:

• £200+ million summer transfer window in 2025
• State-of-the-art training facilities under INEOS ownership
• High-profile signings including Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo

Despite these investments, results on the pitch have not reflected the financial commitment, supporting Ronaldo’s argument that the problems run deeper than personnel.

The Emotional Connection

Perhaps most revealing in Ronaldo’s interview was his emotional attachment to United despite their struggles. “Of course [it hurts me] because I played there for so many years. I win the Champions League, the Golden Ball, I win like 12, 13, 14 titles there, so as I say and I repeat, Manchester United is still in my heart. I love that club.”

This sentiment provides context for his criticism – it comes from a place of genuine concern rather than malice. Ronaldo’s two spells at Old Trafford (2003-2009, 2021-2022) yielded tremendous personal and team success, making the current situation particularly painful for him to witness.

The Broader Implications

Ronaldo’s latest comments raise fundamental questions about United’s direction under the INEOS ownership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Despite promises of modernization and structural reform, the Portuguese superstar’s assessment suggests these changes have yet to bear fruit on the pitch or in the club’s overall operation.

His emphasis on needing “intelligent people, smart people, to create a base for the future” appears to be a direct criticism of the decision-making processes that have led to United’s prolonged struggles since Ferguson’s departure.

Amorim’s Challenge

The manager finds himself in an unenviable position, trying to implement his philosophy while dealing with a squad that Ronaldo suggests lacks the mentality required for United’s standards. Amorim himself has acknowledged the magnitude of the challenge, previously stating that his team might be “the worst in Manchester United’s history.”

Recent improvements, including United’s first consecutive Premier League victories under Amorim and his nomination for October’s Manager of the Month award, suggest progress is possible. However, Ronaldo’s comments underscore that tactical changes alone may not be sufficient to restore United to their former glory.

Looking Forward

As United prepare for the remainder of the season, Ronaldo’s words serve as both a warning and a call to action. His assertion that “the potential of the club, it’s amazing. It’s one of the most important clubs of the century” demonstrates his belief that success is still possible with the right structural foundation.

The challenge for INEOS and the club’s hierarchy is translating massive financial investment into sustainable success both on and off the pitch. Ronaldo’s perspective, informed by his experiences at the highest level with Real Madrid and Juventus, provides a benchmark for what United must aspire to achieve.

Whether Amorim can be the catalyst for this transformation remains to be seen, but Ronaldo’s support for the manager while criticizing the broader structure suggests that patience and systematic change, rather than another managerial change, may be the key to United’s revival.

The Portuguese icon’s enduring love for Manchester United ensures his words carry significant weight, making his call for structural reform a message the club’s decision-makers ignore at their peril.

Read More: Cristiano Ronaldo Sparks Debate: “World Cup Won’t Define if I’m One of the Best in History”

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