In a recent interview with Piers Morgan, Cristiano Ronaldo launched an astonishing attack on former United interim coach Ralf Rangnick.
Ronaldo has made sensational statements about Manchester United and several aspects of the club, including current manager Erik ten Hag, club legend Wayne Rooney, and Rangnick, who coached the team last season after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer left.
In the interview, Ronaldo claimed he had never heard of Rangnick before joining United, and that the German “isn’t even a coach.” ‘After Ole, they bring in sport directive Ralf Rangnick, who nobody understands,’ he explained.
‘He’s not even a coach,’ says one. ‘How are you going to be the manager of Manchester United if you’re not even a coach?’ ‘I’d never heard of him before.’
Rangnick had previously coached at Schalke, Hoffenheim, and Leipzig, and began his coaching career in the 1980s before joining United.
He was brought in as interim coach with the intention of him taking on a consultancy role at the end of the season, which did not happen.
Ronaldo appeared to clash with Rangnick last season, and the interview appears to have confirmed that. It was previously reported that the forward met with Rangnick in an attempt to persuade the German to change formation to help him during a poor run of form last season.
Rangnick then insisted Ronaldo would stay at United despite the fact that the Portugal international had made his intentions to leave clear in the summer.
Ronaldo went on to say that he feels belittled by the club and its current manager, Erik ten Hag.
‘I’m feeling betrayed. And I felt like some people didn’t want me here, not only this year but also last year,’ he said, referring to Rangnick.
‘I don’t have respect for him because he doesn’t respect me,’ he said of ten Hag.
If you don’t have respect for me, I won’t have respect for you.
‘I adore Manchester United, and the fans are always on my side.’ But if they want to do it differently, they must change a lot of things.’