Cristiano Ronaldo has been failed by Manchester United, says Rio Ferdinand

Manchester United have failed to provide Cristiano Ronaldo with a ‘platform for success’ since his return to Old Trafford, claims Rio Ferdinand. 

Ronaldo made an emotional return to the club last summer from Juventus, 12 years after he departed for Real Madrid.

Despite Ronaldo being joined by Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane as new arrivals, United went on to have their worst ever Premier League campaign, slumped down in sixth in the table.

With United sixth – mustering just 58 points – and 35 points behind league-winning Manchester City, former United defender Ferdinand believes his old side simply haven’t held up their end of the bargain. 

‘On a personal level he does what Ronaldo does, he scores goals, he wins games and without Ronaldo they don’t get out the knockout stages of the Champions League,’ Ferdinand told FootballJOE’s YouTube channel. 

‘He’s scored winning goals multiple times and he has held up his side of the bargain. 

‘I think the club obviously hasn’t played their role in terms of giving him the platform for success. 

Interim boss Ralf Rangnick (left) got a tune out of Ronaldo but he failed to deliver top four

‘It just shows you that great players, those in conversation as the best players ever – and he’s one of them – you can’t do it alone, you need team-mates to help and this shows that.’

Ronaldo has divided opinion since his return to Old Trafford, with ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher urging new Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag to get rid of the Portuguese superstar.

But Ferdinand does not share that view and wants Ten Hag to be afforded patience in a bid to unlock Ronaldo and the team in order to deliver success.

Ten Hag has a reputation as one of Europe’s best coaches, given his success with younger players at Ajax, but Ferdinand is not so sure fans will see immediate results from a change in style and culture.  

‘We have to wait and see,’ Ferdinand added, when asked if Ronaldo will fit with Ten Hag. 

‘This is something we need to wait for and give it time. 

 

‘Ronaldo said this new manager needs to be given time and he needs to be afforded that given the resources, given the patience, to try and create something. He has to create something from almost scratch here.’

Ronaldo, who is heading into the second year of his deal, has spoken positively about Ten Hag since it was confirmed he will replace interim boss Ralf Rangnick this summer. 

But he also stressed the Dutchman needs time to get things right. 

Ronaldo told United’s official website earlier this month: ‘What I know about him is he did a fantastic job for Ajax, that he’s an experienced coach. But we need to give him time.

‘Things need to change the way he wants. I hope we have success, of course, because, if you have success, all of Manchester is going to have success as well. I wish him the best.’ 

He added: ‘We are happy and excited, not only as players, but the supporters as well.

‘I wish him the best and let’s believe that, next year, we are going to win trophies.’