CRISTIANO RONALDO has told Manchester United’s young stars ‘if you don’t want my advice, sort things out yourself’.
The 36-year-old superstar has grown frustrated with United’s performances since he returned to the club.
And he clearly believes a lot of the players can’t handle being told by him what they are doing wrong.
Ronaldo said: “I remember when I was 18 some older players spoke with me and I took that as having to improve, they know more than me as they have more bad moments.
“This new generation in general don’t accept that if you criticise them. I have kids I know. They do the opposite.
“If you don’t want my help and my advice, do your job look at yourself. Do your best to help the team.”
In an explosive interview with Sky Sports News, Ronaldo went on to question the mentality of the current crop of players as they try to rescue a season under new boss Ralf Rangnick that is threatening to implode.
Ronaldo said: “We have to have the right mentality. You have to be ready when you struggle in a game, they call this club Manchester United so we have to be United.
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“The system is only useful if you have the right mentality on the pitch
“We have a long way to improve. For me the most important thing is to look at yourself and say that you can do it better.
“I do not accept that our mentality is less than to be in the top three in the Premier League, in my opinion.
“I think to build up good things you need to destroy some things.
“It is a new year, a new life and I hope that Manchester United can be at the level people want because the fans deserve that.”
Ronaldo clearly wanted to say more about what is going wrong at United but held back.
He said: “We are capable to change things now.
“I do not know the specific way because I am a play not a coach or the president.
“I know the way but as you know I’m not going to mention it here because it is not ethical from my part to say that.”
There are already question marks as to whether Ronaldo will stay at the club beyond this season.
He admits he does not want to be at a club which is not competing for the top honours.
He said: “Manchester United belongs in important things so we have to change.
“I do not want to be here in a club to fight for sixth place or seventh place or fifth.
“I am here to try to win, to compete. I think we compete but we are not yet in our best level.
“But we have a long way to improve and I believe that if we change our mind we can achieve big things.”
‘HE NEEDS TIME’
Rangnick has lost just one game in his seven in charge since taking control at United and Ronaldo believes he needs more time before being judged.
Ronaldo said: “He’s changed many things, but he needs time to put his ideas through the players and on the pitch, it takes time, but I believe that he’s going to do a good job.
“We know it’s going to take time to make the ideas of the new coach on the pitch.
“It’s not that fast but looking forward we have to be professional, work hard, to be together as players.
“It’s not that easy to change the mentality of players and the system and the culture just like that, so I believe he’s going to do a good job.
“I still believe we are capable of having a good season.
“Since he arrived I think in some points we are better but as I said before, he needs time.”
