(Football news) Cristiano Ronaldo has insisted that he is “very happy” at Manchester United despite the club failing to qualify for the Champions League after a very poor season. The Portuguese superstar returned to the club after 12 years from his first stint and scored 24 goals in 38 games in his first season back in the Premier League. Despite a reasonably impressive season for the 37 year old, the team finished sixth and will be playing in the Europa League, a tournament that Ronaldo has never played in throughout his illustrious career.
Ronaldo has played in the Champions League for 19 consecutive seasons and a step down to the Europa League is a big disappointment, especially in the twilight of his magnificent career, which has prompted speculation about his possible departure from Old Trafford. In an interview with the club’s media, Ronaldo said “I was happy, of course, to be back in a club that really raised my career, so it was unbelievable, the feeling when I came back again. It was nice to feel the supporters – the happiness of them was great.
"I was and still am very happy to be here, and what I have to say to the fans is they are amazing. Even when we lost games, they always supported us, they are always with us. The supporters are always in my heart and it's the people that we all should respect because they are always on our side. For me, the most important thing is to try to win the games and try to win some championship or some cup but I believe that Manchester will be where they belong. As I said before, sometimes it takes time but I still believe."
Manchester United’s 2022/22 season has been turbulent to say the least, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer being sacked in November after a series of humiliating results followed by an underwhelming stint by interim manager Ralf Rangnick, who recently left the club to become manager of the Austrian national team despite the initial agreement of staying on as a consultant. The club have appointed Erik ten Hag as their new manager and predictions for the 2022/23 season would largely depend on their transfer activity this summer.
Speaking about Ten Hag, Ronaldo said “I know he did a fantastic job for Ajax and that he's an experienced coach but we need to give him time. Things need to change the way he wants. I hope we have success of course because if you have success all of Manchester are going to have success as well. So I wish him the best. We are happy and excited, not only the players but the supporters as well. I wish him the best and let's believe that next year we're going to win trophies."
It was not all doom and gloom at Old Trafford this season as the club’s Under-18 side won the FA Youth Cup for the first time in 11 years. Ronaldo reiterated the need for youngsters to be given a chance under the new manager by saying “I'm in favour that we should give opportunities to the young generation, of course, because they will be the future. But you have to help them as well to put it in the right spot, because the pressure is a lot to play in the Premier League, which I believe is the most difficult league in the world by far.
“You have to give them time, give them the opportunity, and let them grow in a normal way without pressure, but I think we should give opportunities to the young generation. They understand to achieve success you have to [make] sacrifices, hard work, ethic of work, dedication, but of course if the kids ask my advice I will give my opinion and advice because I want to help."
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