Cristiano Ronaldo urges Man Utd to give Erik ten Hag 'time'

Cristiano Ronaldo has urged Manchester United to give new manager Erik ten Hag time to turn the club around.

Ten Hag takes over at Old Trafford off the back of United's worst ever Premier League season. The Red Devils recorded their lowest ever points tally since the 1989/90 campaign and would have dropped to from sixth to seventh if West Ham had beaten Brighton on the final day.

Despite his side's poor record Ronaldo performed well last season, scoring 18 times in 30 Premier League appearances and also helping United reach the Champions League knockout stages by netting some crucial goals.

The legendary forward had been linked with a move away from Old Trafford in search of Champions League football this summer, but he cooled these rumours in an interview with the club's website where he publicly backed Ten Hag.

"I know he did a fantastic job for Ajax and that he's an experienced coach but we need to give him time and things need to change the way he wants," Ronaldo said.

"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.

"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.

Listen now to 90min's Manchester United podcast, The Promised Land, with Scott Saunders & Rob Blanchette. On this week's show they discuss reports linking Ruben Neves, Frenkie De Jong & Robert Lewandowski with moves to Manchester United. The guys also chat about Andy O'Boyle's return to the club.

"And what I have to say to the fans is they are amazing even when you lost games they always support us, they always are 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 say before, sometimes it takes time but I still believe."

For more from Matt O’Connor-Simpson, follow him on Twitter