Cristiano Ronaldo aims dig at Man Utd chiefs and makes feelings clear on Ruben Amorim

Cristiano Ronaldo has warned that Ruben Amorim faces an uphill battle at Manchester United unless significant changes are made to the club's structure. The Portuguese forward has insisted that the Old Trafford hierarchy remains unable to implement the necessary reforms required to restore United to football's elite.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner had previously criticised United's ownership, senior management, coaching staff and certain squad members during a bombshell sit-down with Piers Morgan in November 2022. Now, in a follow-up conversation with the broadcaster, the Al-Nassr striker has offered another comprehensive assessment of the problems plaguing his former employers and outlined why he expects their struggles to persist.

He said: "For me, I'm sad because of the club, that's one of the most important clubs in the world, and a club that I still have in my heart because of the obvious reasons."

The 39-year-old added: "You have to follow with the intelligent people, smart people, to create a base for the future as Manchester United have [done] so many years ago.

"Nicky Butt, Gary [Neville], Roy Keane, [David] Beckham, they became big players but they had youth. So Manchester United right now, they don't have a structure."

"I hope that changes in the future, present/future, because the potential of the club, it's amazing. It's one of the most important clubs of the century."

Amorim arrived in October facing intense scrutiny after an underwhelming opening to the campaign. However, a 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday saw United stretch their undefeated Premier League sequence to four matches.

When questioned about Amorim's situation, Ronaldo remarked: "He's doing his best. What are you going to do? Miracles. Miracles is impossible.

"We say in Portugal, 'Miracles is only in Fatima'... And he's not gonna do miracles. They have good players, but they don't have, some of them, in mind what Manchester United is."

Ronaldo, who netted 145 times in 346 outings for United, departed Juventus to return to Old Trafford in August 2021 - over a decade following his original exit to Real Madrid. When asked whether witnessing United's struggles was painful, Ronaldo admitted: "Of course. Of course. Because I was there so many years.

"I win the Champions League there, I win the golden ball, I win like 12, 13, 14 titles there. So I repeat, Manchester United is still in my heart. I love that club.

"But we have all to be honest and look for ourselves and say, 'Listen, they are not in a good path'. So, they need to change and it's not only about the coach and players, in my opinion."