Cristiano Ronaldo Criticizes Man United Manager Erik ten Hag’s Leadership

Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has openly criticized Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag for his approach since taking over the club.

Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, the Al-Nassr star voiced his frustrations over Ten Hag’s management style and mentality as the United boss.

Ronaldo, who spent two spells at Manchester United, emphasized the need for the club to have a winning mindset. “As a Manchester United coach, you cannot say you’re not going to fight to win the League or Champions League. Even if you don’t have the potential, you must try,” Ronaldo stated.

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While acknowledging that the appointment of the Dutch manager was a step in the right direction, Ronaldo suggested that Ten Hag needs to listen more to former players and club legends to rebuild the club effectively. “People like Rio [Ferdinand], Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, and Sir Alex Ferguson understand the club and how to handle players. Their experience is crucial for the club’s improvement,” Ronaldo added.

Since Ten Hag’s tenure began, Manchester United has seen mixed results, including a third and eighth-place finish in the Premier League and victories in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.

However, Ronaldo’s second spell at Old Trafford ended on a sour note following a public falling-out with Ten Hag, which led to the termination of his contract. Ronaldo later expressed feeling “betrayed” by the Dutch manager.

Ronaldo remains a United icon, having scored 145 goals in 326 appearances and won nine trophies with the club across his two stints.

Eguavoen Eyes Victory as Super Eagles Arrive in Kigali for AFCON Qualifier

Super Eagles coach Augustine Eguavoen has expressed confidence in his squad’s “momentum” as they prepare for Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.

Eguavoen praised the team’s mindset following their dominant 3-0 win over Benin Republic in Uyo, stating that the players are eager to maintain their winning form. “We have the right mentality now, and the mood in camp is excellent. Everyone is focused on securing the three points against Rwanda to stay on top of the table,” he said.

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The Nigerian delegation, including 23 players and officials led by NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, arrived in Kigali on Sunday afternoon ahead of Monday’s training session. Team captain William Ekong emphasized the team’s determination, saying, “Our goal is simple – get the three points. We know Rwanda will be tough, but we are prepared to give our best from the start.”

The Super Eagles face a Rwanda team that earned a 1-1 draw against Libya in their opening match. Tuesday’s game will kick off at 3 p.m. local time (2 p.m. Nigeria time).

Sunshine Stars Appoint Ex-Captain Abe Sunday as Match Reader

Sunshine Stars FC has appointed its former captain, Abe Sunday, as a match reader, alongside ex-international Kayode Idowu. This was announced by the club’s Media Officer, Femi Atolagbe, in a statement released on Wednesday.

According to Atolagbe, the club’s Chairman, Bamidele Ologunloluwa, also directed that the team’s number 10 jersey, once worn by Sunday, be retired for the season as a mark of respect. Ologunloluwa emphasized that Sunday’s vast experience remains valuable for the club’s growth and performance.

Abe Sunday, who captained Sunshine Stars until the 2023/2024 season in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), officially announced his retirement from active football on Wednesday.

Kayode Idowu, who joins him as a match reader, is an ex-international known for representing Nigeria in a 2001 Super Eagles match against Madagascar.

“Abe Sunday is a pride to Ondo State and Nigeria as a whole. His knowledge and experience are crucial for our future success, and that is why we have appointed him and his colleague to these important roles,” Ologunloluwa said.

Sunday’s career includes representing Nigeria in the U-17 AFCON, World Cup qualifiers, and the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt. He also played for the national U-23 team and the home-based Super Eagles in 2010. On the club front, Sunday had a stint in Albania with Teuta Durres FC during the 2017/2018 season.

The Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA) congratulated Sunday, commending his long-standing contributions to Sunshine Stars as he transitions to his new role.