Cristiano Ronaldo has played under some of the biggest managers in football during his career, and Erik ten Hag will be hoping he becomes the latest on an illustrious list this summer.
There remains some doubt over whether Ronaldo will still be at Old Trafford as Ten Hag begins his spell in charge this summer. United’s failure to qualify for next season’s Champions League has led to suggestions the Portuguese ace could look for pastures new.
As things stand though, Ronaldo still has a year left on his deal with United, and Ten Hag has made it clear he wants the five-time Ballon d’Or winner to stay. The 37-year-old therefore looks set to play under another new manager.
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The Portugal international of course boasts a remarkable CV, having won countless trophies and established himself as one of the greatest players of all time. Along the way, he’s played under an impressive set of managers.
Ronaldo has featured in sides led by the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Jose Mourinho, Massimiliano Allegri and, of course, Sir Alex Ferguson. Among that set of names, there’s no doubt who United fans would pick as the greatest.
And you might expect Ronaldo to go the same way – after all, he became the world class player he is today under Ferguson’s stewardship, winning the first of his Ballon d’Ors during his first spell at United. Ronaldo’s choice though may well surprise more than a few people.
Speaking back in 2018, Ronaldo named Mourinho as the best manager he’d worked with. Asked about a potential reunion with his former Real Madrid boss, Ronaldo said: "Work with Mourinho again? Why not?
“I would put him at the top, I always say that. I have played for so many great coaches, but Jose Mourinho was a big thinker analytically, he went into everything in great detail."
Ronaldo’s comments will no doubt come as a surprise to many, particularly given the reports that he had fallen out with Mourinho during their time at the Bernabeu. It seems though that the Portuguese remembers their time together more fondly than others.
United fans will hope he can form a similar bond with Ten Hag next season. Having been a rare bright spark in the current campaign, supporters will be desperate to see him staying put this summer.
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