Cristiano Ronaldo came to the realization that his return to Manchester United was a mistake when he found some of his teammates unable to meet the high standards he expected from them.
His situation became untenable as frustration grew, leading to conflicts with other prominent United players in the dressing room.
Ronaldo’s second stint at United turned into a disaster, culminating in his dismissal by manager Erik ten Hag. The Portuguese icon’s contract was terminated in November, following a contentious interview in which he criticized both Ten Hag and the club.
Ronaldo’s Elevated Standards and Their Impact on Training
Mike Phelan, who was part of the coaching staff when Ronaldo rejoined Old Trafford in August 2021, has disclosed that certain players failed to respond to the demanding expectations set by the former Real Madrid superstar during training sessions.
Phelan remarked, “During his second tenure, he arrived with a more mature and opinionated demeanor. He maintained exceptionally high standards and was great to collaborate with, but I would say he had a more resilient mindset. Having been part of Manchester United, the constant presence for Portugal, and his time at Madrid, he was unyielding in his pursuit of excellence. However, sometimes when you raise the bar for others, you inevitably lose a few along the way.”
He went on:
“I recall instances when he pushed relentlessly but received minimal response or reaction, leading to his frustration. Dealing with top-tier individuals is about their personal journey and achieving their peak potential. They want to reflect on their careers and say, ‘Wow, that was a success.’ Perhaps he came to the realization, although I never had that conversation with him, that he couldn’t achieve it at Manchester United,” Phelan added. “So, he sought new challenges elsewhere.”
Ronaldo eventually secured a move to the Saudi Pro League, and Phelan acknowledges that the 38-year-old’s unwavering obsession with being the best sometimes even challenged the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson.
