Cristiano Ronaldo has backed Ruben Amorim to turn around Manchester United's fortunes insisting “the storm will end” at Old Trafford under his fellow Portuguese.
Amorim has had a difficult start to life at United, losing five of his first 10 games in charge since succeeding Erik ten Hag last month.
The 39-year-old even suggested after Boxing Day's 2-0 defeat at Wolves – a third successive defeat in all competitions – that his job would be in danger if United did not find form soon.
“He (Amorim) did a fantastic job in Portugal with my (club) Sporting,” Ronaldo said, speaking at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai where the Al Nassr forward was named the Middle East Player of the Year 2024.
“But the Premier League is a different beast, the most competitive league in the world.
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Amorim says every manager is under pressure and cannot possibly be 'comfortable' in his position at Old Trafford, especially after a run of three consecutive defeats
“I knew it was going to be tough and that they were going to keep storming. But the storm will end and the sun will rise.
“Fingers crossed, he'll be fine and I hope for the best for Manchester United because it's a club I still love.”
Ronaldo: 'Same' problem at Man Utd
Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United for the second time at the end of 2022
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, criticizing owners the Glazer family, the standard of facilities at the club and then-manager Ten Haag.
Ronaldo said: “I said this a year and a half ago and I will continue to say it: the problem is not the coaches.
Ronaldo was named the best player in the Middle East at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai
“It's like a fish tank and you have a fish in there and it's sick, you take it out and you fix the problem.
“If you put it back in the tank, it will be sick again. This is Manchester United's problem. It's the same.”
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Highlights from the Premier League match between Wolves and Manchester United
Boyhood fan Sir Jim Ratcliffe has taken a stake in United since Ronaldo left for Saudi Arabia and now owns almost 29 per cent of the club.
Ratcliffe's company Ineos controls football operations at Old Trafford but, despite winning the FA Cup last season, fortunes on the pitch have not improved.
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Manchester United defender Harry Maguire says the team believe in new head coach Ruben Amorim and are backing him to be successful because he is a 'winner'.
United are currently 14th in the Premier League, just eight points above the relegation zone.
Asked if the situation at United was the same as when he left, Ronaldo replied: “100 percent. If I were the owner of the club, I would clarify things and correct what I think is wrong there.
“I am still very young, I have so many plans and dreams ahead of me. Mark my words, I will definitely be the owner of a big club.”