Global football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed his dismay at the current state of his former club, Manchester United, arguing that a lack of internal structure is hampering its progress and that new manager Rúben Amorim cannot be expected to reverse its fortunes single-handedly. In a wide-ranging interview with Piers Morgan on Tuesday, 4 November 2025, the Al-Nassr forward stated he is "sad" to see the club's struggles.

"He is doing his best. What else can he do? He can't do miracles," Ronaldo said of Amorim, who took charge in November 2024. Using a Portuguese saying, he added, "'Miracles is only in Fatima'... And he's not gonna do miracles." Ronaldo's comments come as United sits sixth in the Premier League table after a recent draw with Nottingham Forest, a year into Amorim's tenure.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who had two separate spells at Old Trafford, believes the club's problems run deeper than the manager or the players. "Manchester United right now, they don't have a structure," he claimed, contrasting the current setup with the era under Sir Alex Ferguson when a foundation of young talent like Nicky Butt, Gary Neville, and David Beckham was nurtured. "Since Sir Alex Ferguson left I saw no evolution in the club, the progress was zero."

A Manager's Uphill Battle

Rúben Amorim, 40, was appointed on 1 November 2024, on a contract until June 2027, following the dismissal of Erik ten Hag. He arrived with a stellar reputation, having led Sporting CP to two Primeira Liga titles, ending a 19-year league title drought for the club in his first full season (2020–21). However, his first season at United was challenging, with the team finishing 15th, their worst-ever in the Premier League era, and losing the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.

Despite a reported £250 million summer transfer spending spree, the team's performance has remained inconsistent. Ronaldo suggested some of the squad members lack the mentality required to play for such a historic club. "They have good players but they don't have, some of them, in mind what Manchester United is," he told Morgan.

Relevance for a Passionate Kenyan Audience

While the events unfold thousands of kilometres away, the developments at Manchester United are followed with intense passion in Kenya. The English Premier League is the most popular football league in the country, with millions of fans tuning in weekly and engaging in heated debates about match outcomes. Clubs like Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool have established massive and loyal fanbases across the nation.

The high-quality production, global superstars, and sheer competitiveness of the EPL provide a stark contrast to the challenges facing the local Kenyan Premier League, such as mismanagement and underfunding, which have deterred some local fans. This dedication to English clubs means that comments from influential figures like Ronaldo are received and analyzed with great interest, shaping the narrative among supporters in Nairobi, Mombasa, and beyond.

Ronaldo's critique of the club's ownership and hierarchy, including the Glazer family and the new football operations leadership under Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS, also finds a receptive audience. The former United star, who won three Premier League titles and a Champions League in his first spell, emphasized his enduring connection to the club. "Manchester United is still in my heart. I love that club," he stated, which only adds weight to his critical assessment.

Ultimately, Ronaldo's verdict is that significant, systemic change is required for Manchester United to return to the pinnacle of English and European football. He ruled out a Premier League title challenge for the 2025-26 season, stating they are too far behind rivals. For the club's many Kenyan followers, his words serve as a sobering analysis from a legendary figure, confirming their own concerns about the direction of the team they so ardently support.