Ronaldo wanted to demote Maguire, change tactics to his liking
Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 31.08.22. | 19:31
Report from The Athletic says that former coach Ralf Rangnick ignored all his ideas
There are many people around Manchester United which are saying that Cristiano Ronaldo is becoming a disruptive force in the dressing room and that he needs to leave. On the other hand, coach Erik Ten Hag has moved the Portuguese forward to the bench, but is still appealing to Ronaldo to stay at the club, while the player himself is desperately trying to leave the club. His agent Jorge Mendes has already unsuccessfully offered his client to Real, PSG, Bayern, Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea Inter, AC Milan and Napoli, and they immediately said ‘no’. And now, one report reveals one of the reasons the Portuguese forward is not so popular with his teammates and why is he a disruptive force.
Cristiano Ronaldo stated during a meeting with Ralf Rangnick that Harry Maguire should be demoted to the bench. Although Rangnick felt the conversation was inappropriate without Maguire present, Ronaldo said he believed Maguire was part of the problem. [@TheAthleticUK] #mufc
— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) August 31, 2022
According to The Athletic, Cristiano Ronaldo was trying to demote Harry Maguire as the captain of Manchester United, while also proposing a change of tactics during Ralf Rangnick’s reign as coach. The German tactician was surprisingly appointed interim boss at the end of November and he is well known for his high-pressing tactics, which was later used by number of other coaches, Jurgen Klopp in particular. But, that kind of tactic, which also included a lone striker leading the attack, didn’t suit a 37-year old Ronaldo, who apparently suggested to Rangnick to change tactics. According to The Athletic, he told the German tactician that he would like to play in a strike partnership at United rather than as a lone number nine. The Portuguese international drew up the formation he would like to play and also revealed that he wanted to start alongside six foot striker Cavani.
The other part of report also reveals that a group of players, led by Ronaldo, approached coach Ranginck at the training ground in February, asking him to demote Harry Maguire as the team captain. Among them were Raphael Varane and Paul Pogba but Ronaldo's message came through clearly when he said: 'Maguire is part of the problem'. Rangnick is said to have told the players including Ronaldo that it was 'inappropriate' to speak about Maguire when the player himself was not present. Some players apologized to the coach afterwards. If we take this report to be true, than both attempts by Ronaldo failed miserable, since Maguire remained the captain even under new coach Ten Hag, while Cavani played just 15 times, scoring twice and left the club in June to join Valencia.
PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 5
Tuesday
Fulham - Brighton 2-1 (0-0)
/Mitrovic 48, Dunk 55 og - Mac Allister 60 pen/
Crystal Palace - Brentford 1-1 (1-0)
/Zaha 59 - Wissa 88/
Southampton - Chelsea 2-1 (1-1)
/Lavia 28, Armstrong 45+1 - Sterling 23/
Leeds - Everton 1-1 (0-1)
/Sinisterra 55 - Gordon 17/
Wednesday
21.30: (3.60) Bournemouth (3.35) Wolverhampton (2.20)
21.30: (1.50) Arsenal (4.40) Aston Villa (7.50)
21.30: (1.10) Man.City (13.0) Nott.Forest (25.0)
21.45: (3.80) West Ham (3.60) Tottenham (2.05)
22.00: (1.33) Liverpool (5.90) Newcastle (9.50)
Thursday
22.00: (3.80) Leicester (3.50) Man.Utd. (2.10)
***odds are subject to change
