Cristiano Ronaldo states it is unacceptable for Red Devils to be targeting for anything less than a top-three Premier League finish, and alerted he is not at the club to compete for seventh place.
United have gone through a disappointing campaign to date and superseded Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with temporary boss Ralf Rangnick in December after heavy defeats to Leicester, Liverpool and Watford.
Whilst Rangnick has braced the ship with four victories from seven games and just three goals conceded, they stood seventh in the Premier League and are 22 points behind table-toppers Manchester City following just 19 games.
The lowest point of his tenure was doubtlessly the home trounce to Wolves on January 3rd, after which defender Luke Shaw stated he did not feel “we were all together” during the game.
Questioned whether Man Utd could anticipate to close the gap on their top-four rivals without the correct mentality, Ronaldo stated “Impossible – I think it’s the main point.”
“I don’t accept that our mentality be less than being in the top three in the Premier League.”
“I think to build up good things, sometimes you have to destroy a few things. So why not – new year, new life and I hope that Manchester (United) can be the level that the fans want. They deserve that.”
“We are capable of changing things now. I know the way but I’m not going to mention it here because I don’t think it’s ethical on my part to say that.”
“What I can say is we can do better – all of us. Manchester (United) belongs to important things, so we have to change that.”
Whilst Rangnick has ameliorated Red Devil’s results, the performances have been wearying, with his side scoring more than once in a game on just one occasion.
“Since he arrived five weeks ago he changed many things,” voiced Ronaldo. “But he needs time to put his ideas across to the players.”
“It takes time but I believe that he is going to do a good job. We know we aren’t playing the best football but we have many games to improve.”
“Since he arrived I think in some points we are better, but he needs time. It’s not that easy to change the mentality of players and the way they play, the culture, the system like that. I believe that he is going to do a good job.”
However Ronaldo is assured in Rangnick’s ability to improve Manchester United’s fortunes.
