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Agence France-Presse

Cristiano Ronaldo has backed Ruben Amorim to turn around Manchester United’s fortunes and said the “sun will rise” at Old Trafford under his fellow Portuguese.
Amorim has had a tough 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 head coach even suggested after the 2-0 Boxing Day defeat at Wolves – a third successive loss in all competitions – that his job would be in danger if United do not find form soon.
But Ronaldo, speaking at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai where the Al Nassr forward was named Best Middle East player of 2024, said: “He [Amorim] did a fantastic job in Portugal with my [former club] Sporting.
“However, the Premier League is a different beast, the most competitive league in the world.

“I knew that it would be tough and they will continue the storm. But the storm will finish and the sun will rise.
“Fingers crossed, it will be good with him and I hope the best for Manchester United because it is a club I still love.”
Ronaldo’s second spell at United ended in November 2022 following an explosive television interview with presenter and journalist Piers Morgan.
United terminated Ronaldo’s contract with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner critical of the Glazer family owners, the standard of facilities at the club and then-manager Ten Hag.
Ronaldo said: “I say this one-year-and-a-half ago and I will continue to say: the problem is not the coaches. It’s like the aquarium and you have the fish inside and it’s sick, and you take him out and fix the problem.
“If you put it back in the aquarium it will be sick again. This is the problem of Manchester United. It is the same.”
Boyhood fan Jim Ratcliffe took a stake in United since Ronaldo’s departure to Saudi Arabia and now owned almost 29 per cent of the club.
Ratcliffe’s Ineos company controls football operations at Old Trafford but, despite winning the FA Cup last season, fortunes on the pitch have not improved.
United are 14th in the Premier League, only eight points above the relegation zone.
Asked if the situation at United was the same as when he left, Ronaldo replied: “100 per cent. If I will be the owner of the club I will make things clear and adjust what I think is bad there.
“I’m still very young, I have so many plans and dreams ahead. Mark my words, I will be owner of a big club, for sure.”

Ronaldo also weighed into this year’s Ballon d’Or awards, with the five-time winner saying it was “unfair” that Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior missed out on this year’s award.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri took the prestigious prize in October with favourite Vinicius in second place.
Rodri helped City to a fourth straight Premier League title and Spain to Euro 2024 while attacker Vinicius guided Madrid to a record-extending 15th Champions League.
This year’s ceremony in Paris was clouded by controversy after Vinicius’ Madrid boycotted the event.
“In my opinion, he deserved to win the golden ball. It was unfair, I say it here in front of everybody,” former Madrid attacker Ronaldo said.
“They gave it to Rodri, he deserved it too but I think they should have given it to Vinicius because he won a Champions League,” the Portugal captain added.
Only Argentina superstar Lionel Messi with his six successes has won the Ballon d’Or more than Ronaldo.
The winner of the Ballon d’Or is chosen from the shortlist by an international jury of 100 specialist journalists.


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Cristiano Ronaldo

Al-Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo with the Globe Soccer Award for Best Middle East player at the ceremony in Dubai. Photo: dpa

Ronaldo says the “sun will rise’ for Ruben Amorim, seen here after United’s loss to Wolves on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior was named Best Men’s Player at the Globe Soccer Awards. Photo: AFP

Arsenal close on Liverpool, Amorim ‘in danger’ at Manchester United, Chicago Bears lose

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Neither Brighton nor Brentford could break the deadlock at Amex Stadium. Photo: Reuters

Kai Havertz salutes Arsenal supporters after his goal beat Ipswich Town. Photo: Reuters

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Korean two-time Asian champions Jeonbuk appoint ex-Chelsea, Spurs star Gus Poyet as manager

Gustavo Poyet was most recently in charge of the Greece national team and has also managed in Greece, Spain, China and France. Photo: Reuters

Gustavo Poyet celebrates scoring for Chelsea in their 4-0 win over Sunderland in 1999. Photo: Reuters

Sport

Football

The Portuguese superstar says it will be ‘tough’ but feels his compatriot did a good job at Sporting and will do the same at Old Trafford


The Portuguese superstar says it will be ‘tough’ but feels his compatriot did a good job at Sporting and will do the same at Old Trafford.
