Former Manchester United coach Mike Phelan has given insight into Cristiano Ronaldo’s blockbuster return to Old Trafford.
Yesterday marked two years to the day that the Portugal star stepped out at the Theatre of Dreams to begin his second stint as a Red, 12 years on from his record-breaking exit to Real Madrid.
Ronaldo netted two goals on his return against Newcastle United, with supporters chanting his name from minute one through to the full-time whistle. Regardless of how it ended, the pure elation everyone in attendance felt that day will never be forgotten.
Things did, unfortunately, turn sour between United and Ronaldo in the closing stages of his time in Manchester. Being benched by Erik ten Hag had a clear and visible impact on his ego and even when he did play, his performances just weren’t up to scratch.
A notorious interview with Piers Morgan meant it was time for him to pull the curtains on his United career once and for all and in November 2022, he mutually agreed with the club that his contract would be terminated. He now plays his football with Saudi Pro League outfit Al Nassr.
Phelan on Ronaldo’s second stint
Looking back on the tumultuous period, Phelan explained why he thought it had turned so awry.
He told Sky Sports: “The second time around, he came in a lot older and a lot more opinionated, strong-willed. He still had massively high standards and was terrific to work with. But I’d probably say a tougher mindset. He had been at United, he had been Portugal’s ever-present, he had been at Madrid.
“I liked it because he didn’t want his standards to drop, he wanted other people’s standards to come up,” Phelan continued. “And sometimes you lose a few people along the way when that happens. I remember certain times when he pushed and pushed hard, and he didn’t get much reaction or much response. And there was frustration.
“When you deal with top, top people, it’s about them and where they can finish and where they can get to. They want to look back and go ‘Wow, that was successful’. And he probably realised, and I don’t know as I never had that conversation with him, that he couldn’t do it at Manchester United. So his challenges were elsewhere.
“He’s still playing international football, yes he’s in Saudi Arabia, but he’s still playing and scoring goals. He is doing all the things we knew he could do at Manchester United.
“But a really good personality, hard-working and challenging. He challenged me as a coach, Carlos Queiroz as a coach and Sir Alex as a manager. But that’s good because it takes you to another level.”
