In a surprising turn of events, Manchester United icon Gary Neville has highlighted the areas where Cristiano Ronaldo fell short during his second tenure at Old Trafford.
Ronaldo made a sensational comeback to Man United in 2021, signing for £12.85 million.
The Portugal captain had a decent first season, registering 24 goals and three assists in 39 appearances.
However, things took a nosedive during Ronaldo’s second season under Erik ten Hag. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner displayed visible frustration with his teammates on multiple occasions and even refused to come on as a substitute, leaving the stadium early.
During an interview with MARCA, Neville expressed his thoughts on the matter (via Daily Mirror): “I believe Ronaldo performed admirably in terms of goals. However, his character and personality are such that he cannot accept not being the center of attention. My criticism stems from the notion that, when you hold a leadership position both within the team and globally, there are different ways to guide, teach, and elevate the younger players who are not at your level.”
He further added, “I think Cristiano should have adjusted his leadership style at United to assist and mentor the players in the locker room who needed guidance, training, and progression.”
“Cristiano became frustrated and angry with them, and that frustration often manifested during matches, ultimately resulting in confrontations,” Neville concluded.
