Cristiano Ronaldo again signed for Manchester United in the summer of 2021, and Red Devils icon Michael Carrick admitted that he other players have otherwise treated the club legend at that time
Former Manchester United -midfielder Michael Carrick has revealed that an incredible “buzz” wiped by Old Trafford when Cristiano Ronaldo made his sensational return in the summer of 2021. Carrick was part of the coaching team of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
He has now acknowledged that the signing has lifted the entire club, but announced that he handled the global icon, who left in bitter circumstances in November 2022, “otherwise” compared to other players under his guidance.
Speaking on the podcast of Rio Ferdinand, Carrick presents the surrealistic experience to witness the legendary Ronaldo back on the Training Ground of United's Carrington, more than a decade after his departure to Real Madrid in 2009.
“Yes, he was good,” Carrick said when Ferdinand asked him about the Ronaldo comeback. “I mean, there was a hell of a buzz around the place when he came back. It was an incredible kind of feeling around those games, and then he came back. And just to see him again around the building was weird.”
The former midfielder explained how coaching Ronaldo was a completely different challenge and said: “So there is certainly a real thing for me, from the point of view of coaching, I was really aware of treating him very differently than if I were to treat some of the younger players or those who are really intense, try to help and try to develop them.
“At the end he is what he is, you know, and you respect what he is. And we give a few types of instructions for the team. You will not coach him.
“There is no way I coach him about his runs or where to end up. But it is a totally different element of coaching to say what I coached with some of the other boys, where you really try to give them some help and advice and to improve them much. It is just incredible what he has done.”
Initially at United in August 2023, Ronaldo continued to cement his status as one of the most exceptional talents of the game at Old Trafford.
He yielded goals for the Red Devils for more than a century and at that United three Premier League -Kronen plus the Champions League secured, with Carrick revealing his surprise about the progress of Ronaldo during their time as teammates.
“I mean, for me, that first year when I signed, he didn't score so many goals, but it was 2006, 2007 and he played right. He was incredible. Unbelievable. And then he got a taste of scoring goals afterwards. And then he changed a bit.
“He scored 40 goals the following year. But to be honest, that first season after he returned to Wazza with him in Wazza from the World Cup [Wayne Rooney] When he was on that right wing as an all -round player, I have never seen … I don't think I have seen that before. “
Ronaldo's return spell, despite delivering some spectacular moments, proved disappointing for both players and clubs. He left United in November 2022 after his explosive interview with Piers Morgan, in which he criticized the situation of the club and his handling under the former United manager Erik ten Hag.
Nevertheless, Carrick has praised the now 40-year-old Al-Nassr star for the boost he brought and his dedicated attitude towards fitness and preparation.
“I think it was a real buzz,” Carrick said. “But when he came back, I think everyone was buzzing to see what he would bring. And he had to manage himself a little more. He was smarter than in terms of his body and on training and how much he needed to push himself.
“He still scored goals. And I am sure that the boys have taught him by just something for the times as we learned at the time of other players. You learn by often looking. And they don't always have to tell you things. It's more of the experience to be with him.”
Finally, when he wondered whether Ronaldo's apparent reluctance to follow back and help with defensive tasks once a problem, Carrick tried to put the record right.
“No, listen, there are clear parts of it where it is not always something,” he added. “You try to put the team together and you have things you are trying to work on. But he scored goals. He would always score. He has always done that. He keeps doing it. You know, it's what he does.”
Listen to the entire Rio Meets Michael Carrick interview that is now available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify and on Rio Ferdinand Podcast YouTube channel presents GMT from 5 pm.