Remember when Cristiano Ronaldo came to Manchester United as a teenager from Sporting Lisbon? He was fanatical about his fitness when he joined the Red Devils at the age of 18 and was clear in his approach to the club’s conditioning staff – to make him the best player in the world.Hidden from anyone who could spot his mistakes – he was the first player at United to hire a personal chef, he wore ankle weights in training, spent hours in private after training, perfecting his skills.The Portuguese at one point in his career even installed a cryotherapy ice chamber at home to aid his body’s recovery.Times passed and CR7 ended up at Old Trafford again, now a veteran but still one of the most committed, if not the most committed, Manchester United footballers. But the approach younger players are taking, opposed to his beginnings and his methods to improve – is baffling to the 36-year-old.‘I say we have a long way to improve because, for me, the most important thing is the mentality. To look at yourself and say, “I can do better”.‘For you to be professional, help the team, the right mentality, self-taught and positive. All these details depend on you, not the coaches, the fans or the press. If you are proud of yourself and you have dignity, you have to do it much more.’Sat, 20.30: (3.10) ASTON VILLA (3.35) MAN UNITED (2.45)As Sportmail reports, Ronaldo did not hold back on how Manchester United teammates need to show more pride in their performance.‘You should look in the mirror and say, “I give everything”,’ he continued. ‘I think all of us should do that. It’s a new year, we change the page, we have many things to win and we have to believe in that. If not, it will be a nightmare. I try to improve different things and better things, to help the team.Five-time Balon d’Or winner believes his fellow players are not as committed to the cause as he is and he would like to see them investing more into helping the team.Especially the youngsters – Ronaldo is disappointed in the ways younger players are almost ignoring his words of wisdom.‘If I give you advice, even if you are younger than me, if you don’t implant that during your daily life, it will be difficult,’ he said. ‘I will be the No 1 to help. But if you don’t want my help, do your job, look for yourself, do your best to .‘I can speak all day with that person but if it’s not coming from inside of you, it’s impossible. When I was 18, 19, 20, some older players spoke with me, but I put that as, “Cristiano, you have to improve”. Former Barcelona defender feels he was forced to leave Everton for Aston VillaIt is far from ideal for United in the Premier League as they have slumped to seventh and it is all happening amid concerns over a dressing-room divide.There are rumours that Ronaldo complained privately about being probably the only United player who goes to the gym to do extra work before and after training.The Portugal star’s fastidious fitness regime has helped him stay at the top of his game at the age of 36, but there are concerns over the attitude of the rest of the squad since he returned to Old Trafford last summer.Ronaldo questioned the mindset of United’s players in an interview with Sky Sports on Thursday, and hinted that some of them are ignoring his advice.’I think mentality is the main point. This is why I say we have a long way to improve because, for me, the most important thing is the mentality. To look at yourself and say, “I can do better”.‘For you to be professional, help the team, have the right mentality, be self-taught and positive. I think all these details depend on you, not the coaches, the fans or the press. If you are proud of yourself and you have some dignity, you have to do it much more.’’We are all here to make the team better, so let’s try. We have to be united in the difficult moments.’Rules must apply for all – the Premier League Covid ‘heat’ is not dying downThe situation at the moment is completely different from his first tenure with the Red Devils. In his first spell at Old Trafford, Ronaldo won eight major trophies and he also won his first Ballon d’Or. However, at the moment, Man United are struggling to secure one of the Champions League spots.‘I don’t want to be here in a club to fight to be in sixth or seventh or fifth place, I’m here to try to win,’ he said. ‘I’m back in Manchester because I love this club, it’s not just because of money or whatever. I believe that we have the potential here to win important things. But some things have to change. I believe if we change our minds, we can achieve big things.‘To build up a good thing sometimes you have to destroy a few things. So, why not? New year, new life. I hope Manchester United can be at the level people want.‘The last five or six games, do you think United played very well? No. Everyone knows that. We have time to improve.Magpies add Wood to strengthen their nestWe have a squad with potential and a new manager. Why don’t we believe we can do better? You have to be positive to try to change things and to play how Manchester United fans want and the history of the club.‘This is why we’re not going to give up. The only guys that give up are those who are mentally weak.‘We should win the league or be in second or third. In my heart, I don’t accept that our mentality can be less than to be in the top three in the Premier League. I don’t see other positions for Manchester United, to be honest.’United’s next chance to improve their standings and most importantly their confidence is at Villa Park where Steven Gerrard and his refreshed Aston Villa await, ready to compete against Ralf Rangnick and Ronaldo.
