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New Delhi: Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has responded to the comments made by club legend Cristiano Ronaldo and admitted that the club has made a lot of mistakes in the past, while also stressing the need to look to the future.
Ronaldo, one of the greatest footballers of all time, recently spoke to British TV broadcaster Piers Morgan in an extensive interview where he expressed his frustration with how the club has been run in the last decade and praised his fellow Portuguese (Amorim) for doing a good job. However, he also admitted that Amorim could not work "miracles".
Ronaldo, who left United to join Saudi club Al Nassr three years ago, is a former international teammate of Amorim. The prolific striker opened up about the quality and mentality of United players and argued that while some of them are good, others do not have the "mind" of a player for the club.
Amorim, in his pre-match press conference for his United's trip to Tottenham on Saturday, was asked to react to Ronaldo's comments. While he didn't address the question in a direct manner, but stressed the need to move forward.
"He [Ronaldo] knows he has a huge impact with everything he says," Amorim said.
"We know as a club we made a lot of mistakes in the past. We are trying to change that.
"Let's not focus on what happened.
"We are changing a lot of things; the structure, the way we want the players to behave. We are improving. Let's forget a little bit (about) the past."
After carving a rich legacy at United, Ronaldo joined La Liga giants Real Madrid in 2009 and established his status as a modern-day great.
He remarkably returned to Old Trafford 12 years after leaving them and joined the Premier League giants from Juventus in August 2021 for his second spell.
However, the sweet reunion ended on a bitter note after his contract was terminated in November 2022 following his criticism of the club and then manager Erik ten Hag in a previous interview with Morgan.
In the latest interaction, Ronaldo said: "I'm sad, because the club is one of the most important clubs in the world and a club that I still have in my heart.
"They don't have a structure. I hope that changes in the present and future, because the potential of the club is amazing.
"They are not on a good path. And it's not only about the coach and players, in my opinion... He (Amorim) is doing his best. What are you going to do? Miracles are impossible."
Amorim, who joined the Red Devils in November 2024, guided the club to the Europa League final last season, but they failed to cross the final hurdle and missed the qualification for this season's Champions League after losing to Tottenham.
In the Premier League, United finished 15th, their worst performance since the 1973-74 campaign in which they were relegated from the top division.
Despite the horrendous campaign, United backed the Portuguese in his second season and spent more than £200m in the summer transfer window.
However, the season started on a poor note, including a Carabao Cup exit after losing to League Two side Grimsby Town. In recent weeks, though, the 20-time league champions have shown good progress under the Portuguese, winning three of their past four league games - including a stunning win at Liverpool - and are placed eighth in the table.
