Manchester United icon Paul Ince slams Cristiano Ronaldo amid poor form

Former Manchester United star Paul Ince has slammed Cristiano Ronaldo claiming that the Portuguese is setting a bad example for the club’s youngsters.

Speaking to The Sun, former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince has hit out at Cristiano Ronaldo over his attitude, stating that the veteran superstar is not setting a good example for the future generation.

Ronaldo returned to Manchester United from Juventus last summer amid much fanfare, as he signed a two-year deal. The 37-year-old forward was off to a flying start to his second spell with the Red Devils. But his form has been on the decline since the turn of the year.

The Manchester United icon has not scored in his last six games in all competitions – his longest goal drought since he went without finding the back of the net in seven matches in a row back in 2008/09. The Portugal captain’s frustration over his reduced goal output has been visible on the pitch as he has been storming off into the tunnels without greeting fans in recent games.

Ince, who spent six years at Manchester United between 1989 and 1995, making over 200 appearances, has slammed Ronaldo for his conduct, insisting that he needs to sort himself out if he wishes to set an example for the rest of the team. “People were saying he would be great for the club, the players and the youngsters. We thought that would be the case, but the example he is setting, by throwing his toys out of the pram is a bad one.

“Why would you listen to someone who is prepared to act the way he is? As we’ve seen on numerous occasions – running down the tunnel, not clapping fans, sulking – it’s not a good example to set. I get the frustration but you’ve got to take that out behind closed doors, not in full view of the fans and cameras,” Ince said.

“He was flying when he started but then he stopped getting the service, started dropping deeper to where he wasn’t a danger to anybody, and then the frustration came. He is a selfish player – Ronaldo is about Ronaldo. If he isn’t scoring, he won’t be happy. It should be about Manchester United and the team but it’s become all about Ronaldo, and now we are seeing the full frustration,” he further added.

Manchester United’s struggles combined with Ronaldo’s recent dip in form has led to speculations over his future. PSG have been touted as a surprise summer destination for the former Real Madrid and Juventus superstar. Addressing the talks of a potential exit in the summer, Ince added: “Whether he stays next year, I don’t know. It depends on who comes in at the end of the season. If Rangnick stays, I think you’ll see Ronaldo going. 

“If Mauricio Pochettino comes in, he might stay. But Ronaldo has to play – you can’t be paying someone half a million pounds a week to sit on the bench against Burnley when you need three points. If he’s not playing, I can’t see him being here next season.”

With 14 goals in 27 games so far, Ronaldo remains the top goalscorer for Manchester United this term. But he and the team both need to sort things out at the earliest to arrest the recent decline.

Former Manchester United star Paul Ince has slammed Cristiano Ronaldo claiming that the Portuguese is setting a bad example for the club’s youngsters.

Speaking to The Sun, former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince has hit out at Cristiano Ronaldo over his attitude, stating that the veteran superstar is not setting a good example for the future generation.

Ronaldo returned to Manchester United from Juventus last summer amid much fanfare, as he signed a two-year deal. The 37-year-old forward was off to a flying start to his second spell with the Red Devils. But his form has been on the decline since the turn of the year.

The Manchester United icon has not scored in his last six games in all competitions – his longest goal drought since he went without finding the back of the net in seven matches in a row back in 2008/09. The Portugal captain’s frustration over his reduced goal output has been visible on the pitch as he has been storming off into the tunnels without greeting fans in recent games.

Ince, who spent six years at Manchester United between 1989 and 1995, making over 200 appearances, has slammed Ronaldo for his conduct, insisting that he needs to sort himself out if he wishes to set an example for the rest of the team. “People were saying he would be great for the club, the players and the youngsters. We thought that would be the case, but the example he is setting, by throwing his toys out of the pram is a bad one.

“Why would you listen to someone who is prepared to act the way he is? As we’ve seen on numerous occasions – running down the tunnel, not clapping fans, sulking – it’s not a good example to set. I get the frustration but you’ve got to take that out behind closed doors, not in full view of the fans and cameras,” Ince said.

“He was flying when he started but then he stopped getting the service, started dropping deeper to where he wasn’t a danger to anybody, and then the frustration came. He is a selfish player – Ronaldo is about Ronaldo. If he isn’t scoring, he won’t be happy. It should be about Manchester United and the team but it’s become all about Ronaldo, and now we are seeing the full frustration,” he further added.

Manchester United’s struggles combined with Ronaldo’s recent dip in form has led to speculations over his future. PSG have been touted as a surprise summer destination for the former Real Madrid and Juventus superstar. Addressing the talks of a potential exit in the summer, Ince added: “Whether he stays next year, I don’t know. It depends on who comes in at the end of the season. If Rangnick stays, I think you’ll see Ronaldo going. 

“If Mauricio Pochettino comes in, he might stay. But Ronaldo has to play – you can’t be paying someone half a million pounds a week to sit on the bench against Burnley when you need three points. If he’s not playing, I can’t see him being here next season.”

With 14 goals in 27 games so far, Ronaldo remains the top goalscorer for Manchester United this term. But he and the team both need to sort things out at the earliest to arrest the recent decline.