'I saw the hierarchy among Man Utd players in the dressing room with my own eyes'

Manchester United are grappling with a void in leadership, the likes of which was unheard of during Dimitar Berbatov’s time at the club. And the Bulgarian has hailed Cristiano Ronaldo as one such example in establishing one’s self atop the pecking order.

Ruben Amorim has been affected by the same issue that plagued predecessor Erik ten Hag. And the Red Devils are in dire need of influential figures as they head into Monday’s Premier League match against Newcastle riding a three-loss streak.

However, having standout stars can be a double-edged sword, as Berbatov illustrated with his account of Ronaldo’s tenure at the club. The 43-year-old recalled how Ronaldo commanded a certain level of treatment from his team-mates, not through explicit demands, but through the sheer force of his presence.

“In football, there is a hierarchy when someone like Ronaldo comes into the team, you give him the respect he deserves,” he told The Mirror in 2022. “It is all there, all that he has achieved, and I think it’s up to him to speak to the players and give them advice and help them develop.”

Berbatov praised Ronaldo’s professionalism and the confidence he exuded. He said his former comrade “never missed a training sessions” and was “always sure of himself and his quality.”

Ronaldo’s confidence and commitment evidently had a profound impact on his team-mates during his first tenure at Old Trafford. His time playing under Sir Alex Ferguson was dotted with success, which included three Premier League titles, the Champions League, a FIFA Club World Cup, an FA Cup, and two League Cups.

He also secured his first Ballon d’Or in 2008, the same year Berbatov joined United and shortly before his record-setting transfer to Real Madrid. Despite sharing only one season with the football legend, Berbatov gained enough insight to comprehend why Ronaldo held a superior rank within the team hierarchy.

This wouldn’t be the first instance of a United player receiving preferential treatment at the Theatre of Dreams. It’s widely acknowledged Eric Cantona, known for his rebellious streak, was exempted from Ferguson’s typically stringent methods due to his invaluable contributions elsewhere.

New chief Amorim might also be inclined to make certain concessions for the squad’s present leaders. Or at least, he might if those figures within the squad stood out a little more.