Cristiano Ronaldo has backed Ruben Amorim to turn around Manchester United's fortunes by insisting the “storm will end” at Old Trafford under his compatriot.
Amorim has had a difficult start at United, losing five of his first 10 games after succeeding Erik ten Hag last month.
The 39-year-old even suggested after the 2-0 Boxing Day defeat at Wolves – a third successive defeat in all competitions – that his job could be in jeopardy if United do not find form soon.
“He (Amorim) did a fantastic job in Portugal with my (club) Sporting,” Ronaldo said at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai, where the Al Nassr forward was named Best Middle East Player of 2024.
“But the Premier League is a different animal, the most competitive league in the world.
“I knew it would be tough and they would continue the storm. But the storm will end and the sun will rise.
“Fingers crossed he will do well and I hope the best for Manchester United because it is a club I still love.”
Ronaldo: 'Same' problem at Man Utd
Ronaldo's second spell at United ended in November 2022 after an explosive TV interview with presenter and journalist Piers Morgan.
United terminated Ronaldo's contract with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner amid criticism of the Glazer family owners, the level of facilities at the club and then manager Ten Hag.
Ronaldo said: “I said this a year and a half ago and I will continue to say it: the problem is not with the coaches.
“It's like an aquarium: you put the fish in and it's sick, and you take it out and fix the problem.
“If you put him back in the tank he'll get sick again. This is Manchester United's problem. It's the same.”
Youth fan Sir Jim Ratcliffe has taken a stake in United since Ronaldo's departure for Saudi Arabia and now owns almost 29 percent of the club.
Ratcliffe's company Ineos manages the football operations at Old Trafford, but despite winning the FA Cup last season, fortunes on the pitch have not improved.
United are currently fourteenth in the Premier League, just eight points above the relegation zone.
Asked if the situation at United is the same as when he left, Ronaldo replied: “100 percent. If I were the owner of the club, I would make things clear and change what I think is bad there.”
“I'm still very young, I still have so many plans and dreams in the future. Mark my words, I will definitely become the owner of a big club.”
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