(Football news) The return of Manchester United has not just brought back a feeling of nostalgia amongst the fans but has elevated the standards of the club where a qualification for the Champions League spot isn’t enough when a five time Ballon d’Or winner is in the squad. The 36 year old Portuguese has had an illustrious career to say the least but more importantly, Ronaldo has a winning mentality with a wealth of experience, two important traits that Manchester United desperately need as they struggle to get back to the summit of English football. 

For Ronaldo, the Manchester United he left in 2009 is very different from the club he rejoined in 2021. Before his departure to Real Madrid, the Red Devils had won three consecutive Premier League titles, reached two consecutive Champions League finals (winning one of them) and Ronaldo won a plethora of individual accolades amongst which was his very first Ballon d’Or trophy. His homecoming in the summer of 2021 has been less than the fairytale everyone hoped for as the Portuguese superstar has been left frustrated more often than not by the team’s performances which have resulted in the club he loves finding itself seventh in the Premier League table, a position Ronaldo fails to connect to the Manchester United he has known during his first stint at the club.

While Ralf Rangnick has steadied the ship, winning four out of the seven matches in charge, the German hasn’t had an instant impact as the team continues to struggle under the weight of their expectations and adapt to the new tactics and training methods. The gap between Manchester United and their neighbours Manchester City is 22 points after just 19 games and Ronaldo believes that it is “impossible” to close the gap on their top four rivals without the correct mentality. 

In a recent interview with Sky Sports, Cristiano Ronaldo said “I don't accept that our mentality is less than being in the top three in the Premier League. I think to build up good things, sometimes you have to destroy a few things. So why not – new year, new life and I hope that Manchester (United) can be the level that the fans want. They deserve that. We are capable of changing things now. I know the way but I'm not going to mention it here because I don't think it's ethical on my part to say that. 

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"What I can say is we can do better – all of us. Manchester (United) belongs to important things, so we have to change that. I don't want to be here to be in sixth place, or seventh place, or fifth place. I'm here to try to win, to compete. "I think we compete but we are not yet at our best level. But we have a long way to improve and I believe if we change our mind, we can achieve big things.” Speaking of Rangnick, Ronaldo said “Since he arrived five weeks ago he changed many things, But he needs time to put his ideas across to the players. It takes time but I believe that he is going to do a good job. We know we aren't playing the best football but we have many games to improve. Since he arrived I think in some ways we are better, but he needs time. It's not that easy to change the mentality of players and the way they play, the culture, the system like that. I believe that he is going to do a good job."

Ronaldo also spoke about the departures of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick. When asked how he found the last few months, the 36 year old said “Not easy to be honest. We changed Ole, then [Michael] Carrick [caretaker manager], then this new coach. It's difficult when you change so much, it's always tough. It's always sad and tough. Ole used to play with me before and now he was the coach. A fantastic person. When he left everybody was sad, but it's part of football.

"When things don't go the way the club wants, the club has to change. I was disappointed but we have to understand the club. It was difficult but life continues. But I still believe that we are capable of having a good season. We know it's going to take time to make the ideas of the new coach on the pitch. But I'm looking forward to it. We have to work hard, we have to be together as players. We know we are not in the best moment, but I believe with working hard we can achieve important things, even this year."