“You will regret going back to Man Utd” – Ruud Gullit tells Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo may regret deciding to move back to Manchester United, according to former Netherlands and Milan legend Ruud Gullit, who also accused the club of “living in the past”.

Ronaldo returned to United in 2021 from Juventus, scoring 24 goals in 38 games in all competitions for the Red Devils.

However, despite the presence of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, United did not win a trophy, being eliminated from the Champions League last 16 by Atletico Madrid and finishing sixth in the Premier League.

Ronaldo has reportedly expressed his desire to leave Old Trafford due to a lack of Champions League football, but United have not shown any sign of allowing the Portugal international to move.

Speaking to Laureus, Gullit stated his belief that the 37-year-old will be eager to show his best at the World Cup in Qatar later this year, but that he might be regretting his decision to go back to United.

“Ronaldo with Portugal, can he still do it?… I think he is eager to show the world how good he is,” Gullit said. “That’s my feeling. This guy has unbelievable mental strength.

“He doesn’t say it, but I think he regrets the fact that he came back to Man United because of the team that was there. I think he hoped that it was better, so he wants to show everybody who criticised him what he’s worth. I think he’s on a mission.

Gullit also had words of advice for Erik ten Hag. His fellow Dutchman took over as manager of United at the end of last season, and did not get off to the best start as his new team lost 2-1 at home to Brighton and Hove Albion in their opening game of the Premier League campaign last week.

“Ten Hag, I think he is a good coach, but if you come with a Dutch mentality only to come to England, it’s difficult,” he said. “You have to adapt yourself, you have to understand that you don’t win games only with football, you need power as well. You need power, you need technique. You need stamina and the right mentality.

“That’s why we love the Premier League. There is no easy games, and that is what you need to understand.”