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 since succeeding Eric ten Hag last month.
The 39-year-old also suggested after the 2-0 defeat to Wolves on Boxing Day – their third consecutive defeat in all competitions – that his job would be in danger if United did not return to form soon.
“He (Amorim) did a great job in Portugal with my (club) Sporting,” Ronaldo said while speaking at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai, where the Al Nassr forward was named the best Middle East player of 2024.
“But the Premier League is a different animal, the most competitive league in the world.
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Amorim says every manager is under pressure and he can in no way be ‘comfortable’ in his position at Old Trafford, especially after three consecutive defeats
“I knew it would be hard and that they would keep storming. But the storm will end and the sun will rise.
“Fingers crossed, it will be good with him and I hope it’s the best for Manchester United because it’s a club I still love.”
Ronaldo: ‘Same’ problem at Man Utd
Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Manchester United for the second time at the end of 2022
Ronaldo’s second stint 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 criticizing the Glazer family owners, the standard of facilities at the club and then-manager Ten Hague.
Ronaldo said: “I said this a year and a half ago and I will continue to say it: the problem is not the coaches.”
Ronaldo named best Middle East player at Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai
“It’s like an aquarium and you have a fish inside and he’s sick, and you take him out and solve the problem.
“If you put it back in the aquarium it will get sick again. That’s Manchester United’s problem. It’s the way it is.”
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Highlights of the Premier League match between Wolves and Manchester United
After Ronaldo moved to Saudi Arabia, childhood fan Sir Jim Ratcliffe has taken a stake in United and now owns about 29 percent of the club.
Ratcliffe’s Ineos company controls football operations at Old Trafford, but despite winning the FA Cup last season, conditions on the field have not improved.
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Manchester United defender Harry Maguire says the team has confidence in new head coach Ruben Amorim and supports his success because he is a ‘winner’.
United currently sit 14th in the Premier League, just eight points above the relegation zone.
Asked if the situation at United was the same as it was at the time of his departure, Ronaldo replied: “100 per cent. If I was the owner of the club I would clarify things and adjust what I find bad there. Would do.”
“I’m still very young, I have a lot of plans and dreams ahead. Mark my words, I will definitely become the owner of a big club.”