Ronaldo reflects back on Manchester United: I went through a bad phase of my career. I’m a better person now

In a recent interview, Cristiano Ronaldo reflected back on his involvement with Manchester United. According to him, he was going through a bad part of his football career at that time and in the dark times he learned who true friends are.

It was to be a spectacular and dreamy return to the club where Ronaldo fully displayed the talents that made him one of the best footballers on the planet of all time.

Upon his return to Manchester United in August 2021, he played a total of 30 league games in the 2021/22 season, scoring 18 goals and assisting three more. He added a further seven starts and six goals in the millionaire Champions League.

A successful year individually, but not so much on the team side. Manchester United did not fare well and finished the 2021/22 season with 58 points, only sixth in the Premier League table.

But with the start of the new season, Ronaldo began to struggle, not only in terms of individual statistics, but also in terms of play. The Madeira native scored only once in ten league games, and even the World Cup in Qatar didn’t go too well for him.

Gradually he was eliminated from United’s starting line-up and eventually it was clear to everyone that he would not last long at Old Trafford. Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes offered him to several European clubs, but all of them refused the offer due to his huge salary.

And so, on 1 January this year, Ronaldo accepted an offer from Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, with whom he signed a lucrative contract until 30 June 2025. In his jersey, the Portuguese star has so far appeared in eight matches, scoring nine goals and two assists.

In a recent interview with Sport TV+, Ronaldo then revisited the Manchester United engagement and evaluated it in a few words in retrospect.

Now I’m more prepared and a better person!

“Sometimes you have to go through some things to see who is on your side. That’s what you know in a difficult period. (At Manchester United) I went through a bad phase of my career and I have no problem admitting it, but now is not the time for regrets,” Ronaldo said in that interview, whose words were also quoted by Goal.

“Life goes on and whether I’m doing well or not, it was part of my growth. When we are at the top of the mountain, we often don’t see what’s underneath. Now I’m more prepared because I’ve never gone through anything like what I’ve been through in the last few months. I am a better person now,” he explained.

Sources: Premier League, Transfermarkt, Goal, Sport TV+