Cristiano Ronaldo backs ex-Man Utd team-mate for key role – 'If Erik Ten Hag listens'

Cristiano Ronaldo has delivered a stark message to Erik ten Hag, advising the Manchester United boss to heed the wisdom of Ruud van Nistelrooy. Having played alongside the Dutchman at two different clubs, it’s Ronaldo’s belief Van Nistelrooy could have a big part to play in United’s resurgence.

Despite his high-profile and turbulent second spell at Old Trafford – which culminated in an early exit and a move to Al-Nassr – Ronaldo has not shied away from offering guidance. The Portuguese icon saw his time under Ten Hag cut short but believes Van Nistelrooy’s recent addition to the coaching staff could be the catalyst United needs after their worst Premier League finish.

Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, 39-year-old Ronaldo underscored the importance of tapping into the knowledge of past legends like Van Nistelrooy, with whom he shared a dressing room at both United and Real Madrid. And with the first-team squad somewhat lacking in homegrown talent these days, an older head may be of extreme use.

“If Ten Hag listens to Ruud, maybe he can help the club,” said Ronaldo (via The Mirror). “I think he can help a lot. And the club should listen to the players who played there.

“You [Rio Ferdinand] or Roy Keane or Paul Scholes or Gary Neville, whoever it is. Sir Alex Ferguson. You can’t rebuild a club you don’t understand.”

Ten Hag has been given the green light to mould United in his own image, splashing the cash on a host of players he knows on a more personal level. That includes Dutch stars like Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt, as well as familiar faces from Ajax, such as Antony, Lisandro Martinez, and Andre Onana.

Van Nistelrooy, 48, left his head coach role at PSV Eindhoven to join Ten Hag’s staff at Old Trafford. And whispers around the Theatre of Dreams suggest Van Nistelrooy might be waiting in the wings to take over the managerial hot seat if Ten Hag’s tenure comes to an end.

Ronaldo also suggested ex-players make more reliable coaches because “they understand” the inner workings of the dressing room and what players need. However, he notably stressed the word “if” when discussing Ten Hag getting the most out of the former striker, hinting at doubts over whether the manager will truly listen to his right-hand man’s insights.

Van Nistelrooy came back to his former stomping ground as a veritable United legend. He scored an astonishing 150 goals in 219 appearances for the club before joining Real Madrid in 2006, with Ronaldo following three years later.

He not only clinched an FA Cup and League Cup during his tenure but also played a significant role in Ronaldo’s early career at United. And it would appear his input left a lasting impact on the Portuguese superstar, who has tipped his old colleague as a potential key to unlocking United’s potential.