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Cristiano Ronaldo told Piers Morgan he ‘didn’t understand’ Ralf Rangnick’s appointment – but star made his feelings on Manchester United interim boss clear in January against Brentford
Cristiano Ronaldo revealed to Piers Morgan he wasn't the biggest fan of Ralf Rangnick's appointment as interim boss at Manchester United.
But this isn't the first time the Red Devils legend has made his feelings on the German clear, with him first publicly doing so in January just a few weeks into Rangnick's tenure.
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In an explosive interview with TalkTV host Morgan, Ronaldo explained he's not seen any improvements upon his return to the club - and Rangnick's appointment was a perfect example of that.
"I don't know what's going on but since Sir Alex Ferguson left [in 2013], I saw no evolution in the club. The progress was zero," he told Morgan.
"For example, how the club, after Manchester United had to sack Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer], they bring in sporting director Ralf Rangnick, which is something nobody understood.
"This guy is not even a coach. A big club like Manchester United bring in a sporting director? It surprised not only me, but all the world."
And 11 months ago, Ronaldo showed his displeasure at the former coach when hauled off in his side's 3-1 win over Brentford.
The Man United legend barely shook the German's hand as he came off with the Red Devils 2-0 up and was visibly unhappy as he watched his teammates play the rest of the game.
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Ronaldo threw his coat to the floor in anger and Rangnick was then filmed consoling Ronaldo.
One of the club's greatest players probably wasn't too impressed with his former manager's response to the situation after the game, either.
"I don’t blame him for that but obviously any manager would wish it shouldn’t be too emotional and also in front of the TV cameras I don’t think this will be for the benefit of anyone: not to his benefit or teammates,” Rangnick said.
“It’s an emotional game and players are emotional and I didn’t take it personally at all. I didn’t at all see or interpret that he was challenging me.
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"This was not the first time – if you have a look at the moment when Sir Alex [Ferguson] replaced him or other coaches, his reaction was pretty similar, which shows in the end it has got nothing to do with the manager.
"It’s about his own ambition and desire to stay on the pitch. It’s a team sport and for us it’s important for us that we get the most out of each game, the maximum points, and it’s a decision of each manager [regarding] what we need right now in order to win.
"I’m not somebody who says afterwards everything was perfect but in this case everything that I had hoped regarding the result of that decision was confirmed in the end.”
Watch ‘Piers Morgan Uncensored: 90 Minutes with Ronaldo’, 8pm on Wednesday and Thursday on TalkTV. Find TalkTV on Sky 526, Virgin Media 606, Freeview 237, Freesat 217 and Sky Glass 508, live and on demand on the TalkTV app, streaming services and at Talk.TV.
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