Cristiano Ronaldo interview: Man United’s CR7 sends important message to teammates and club

In one of the most candid interviews in recent years, Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo has made it clear that he wants to see improvement at a club he believes are not performing well. .

Ronaldo sat down for more than 20 minutes for a widely circulated video interview for Premier League copyright holders around the world. He does not say much about the current state of the club, who are in seventh place and 22 points behind the top of the table.

“Manchester belongs to the important things. We have to change that. I don’t want to be here in the club fighting for sixth or seventh or fifth place. I’m here to try to win, to compete and I think we’re competitive, but we’re not at our best yet. But we have a long way to go to improve and I believe that if we change our mindset we can achieve great things.

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“I believe you have a few things that we have to change,” Ronaldo said later in the interview. “We have a long way to go to improve. But I believe. New year, and we must believe that things will change for the better. ”

Those words will not dispel rumors of him wanting to leave the club. But Ronaldo, when pressed on what specifically needed to be changed, was hesitant to say so. Obviously he has an opinion, but is keeping it to himself.

“I’m not the right person (to say) that we have to change this or that,” said Ronaldo, who has led the team by 16 goals. “Honestly, the last five, six games, do you think Manchester (United) played very well? No, you know that. Everyone knows that.

“We have to be aggressive to try to change things up, to play as what the Manchester United fans want, and the history of the club. This is why we will not give up. The only people (those) who give up are the mentally weak.

“I am a player, I am not a coach. I’m not the president. I know the way, but as you know, I won’t mention (it) here because I think it’s not (ethical) from my part to say it. What I can say and what we can control is that we can do it better. All of us: collectively, individually, everyone. ”

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Ronaldo questions the mentality of Man United players

Ronaldo has tried to combine with players he says need to elevate their game for the club to take it a step further. But it’s also clear from the interview that he doesn’t think there are teammates who can absorb that message.

He talks about his experience as a young player and how advice from his older teammates has driven him to succeed. He does not see the same reaction from the players on his current team.

“I remember when I was 18, 19, 20, some old players talked to me, but I said, ‘Cristiano you have to improve’ … but others don’t accept that if you (are) criticize (them),” he said. “Sometimes you get a little harder, they do the opposite. You have to find the right balance to talk to them.

“But in my opinion, it has to come from within you. You should be proud of yourself and look in the mirror and say ‘Listen, I gave everything.’ And I think we should all do it. Because (is) new year, we change the page. We have a lot to win and we have to believe in that, because otherwise it would be a nightmare.”

“If I give you advice and even if you’re younger than me and you don’t (do) it in your day-to-day life, it’s going to be difficult. You can talk all day with that person. If (it) doesn’t come from within you, it’s not possible. ”

Ronaldo went on to emphasize that players need to be self-directed and push themselves to reach a higher level. He feels that individual mentality will eventually translate into team success.

“For me, the most important thing is the mentality. For you, you are a professional, helping teammates, right mentality, self-discipline, and positive. I think all the details are up to you – not the coach, the fans, the press. It depends on you. If you are proud of yourself and have some dignity, I think you have to do more. And it started with me.

“We are here to help. If and when they (other young players) need my help, my support and my advice, I will be the No. 1 to help,” said Ronaldo. “But if you don’t want my help, do your job, do your own research and do your best to help the team.”

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Ronaldo sets expectations in 2022 for Man United

Ronaldo missed the recent FA Cup win with “some pain”, but he said he is confident he will be available for Saturday’s next game at Aston Villa.

Manchester United have reached the FA Cup round of 32, reached the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League and are six points off fourth place in the table, which will secure a place in next season’s prestigious Champions League.

There are 19 Premier League matches left – and additional cup matches, depending on how far the Reds have progressed in both leagues. Ronaldo has scored in the remaining four months of the season:

“Immediately. I hope to win a title, get out of the Champions League (Round 16_and at least – right now our way – in the top four (in the Premier League).”

However, the ultimate goal is to get back on par with the Premier League and Champions League elites, namely the other three English clubs who have all reached the Champions League final once in the last three years and that’s it. currently occupy the top three positions in the EPL.

“To win the tournament, it’s a marathon. It’s not a 100 meter sprint. You have to be consistent. This is why the best team in England is probably Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea because they are more stable than other teams.

“But we have to look at that (top teams) and believe we are capable of doing it the same way. We know it’s difficult and we have to improve. But I believe. Some things have to change, but I believe we have potential here. So we have to do the right things. That’s the only way to be at that level in the teams I mentioned before.

“As I told you and I will repeat, some things have to change.”

What does Cristiano think about the new coach Rangnick?

When it comes to change, Ronaldo says that the new coach, Ralf Rangnick, has introduced a lot of it.

Although Ronaldo clearly did not name Rangnick in the interview, he said that the German leader needed more time. And the Portuguese legend hopes that, by the time the Champions League round of 16 series against Atletico Madrid kicks off on February 23, the Red Devils will be even further on their way to improvement.

“He (Rangnick) came here five weeks ago. He changed many things. But he needs time to convey his ideas through the players and also on the pitch. It takes time. But I believe he will do his job well,” said Ronaldo.

“He needs time. It’s not easy to change the mentality of the players and the way they play, the system and the culture (just) like that. So I believe he will do his job well.”

What is clear is that Ronaldo loves Manchester United – where he became a global icon between 2003-2009 – tradition and everything it stands for. And it’s clear that he’s suffered greatly from the time it’s going on. He aspires to achieve success for himself and for a club he believes deserve and beyond.

“I think in order to build good things sometimes you have to destroy something. So why not? New year, new life, and I hope that Manchester can be the level everyone wants, especially the fans. They deserve it.

“Manchester United should win the league either in second or third place. Honestly, I don’t see other (table) positions for Manchester United. In my eyes, I don’t accept that our mentality is worse than finishing in the top three in the Premier League in my opinion.”