Cristiano Ronaldo’s comments came in a conversation with one of his former team-mates for the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast., external

Ronaldo played alongside Ferdinand during his first spell at Manchester United, winning three Premier League titles, the Champions League, two League Cups and an FA Cup – as well as the Fifa Club World Cup and Community Shield – before transferring to Real Madrid in 2009.

The Portugal forward rejoined United from Juventus in August 2021 and took his goal tally to 145 from a total of 346 appearances for the club before moving to Al-Nassr in December 2022.

Just a month earlier, Ronaldo had told presenter Piers Morgan he was being “betrayed” and pushed out of Old Trafford by Ten Hag in a controversial television interview, and has now questioned the Dutch boss’ mentality.

Ronaldo said to Ferdinand: “The coach says they cannot compete to win the [Premier] League and Champions League. As Manchester United coach, you cannot say that you’re not going to fight to win the league or Champions League.

“Mentally [you can] say maybe we don’t have that potential, but I cannot say that. We’re going to try, you have to try.

“What I wish for Manchester [United], it’s what I wish for me – [to be] the best team they can. I love that club… I’m not that kind of guy that forgot the past.”