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NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE

Cristiano Ronaldo labelled Man Utd return a DISASTER as icon fumed at training facilities and team-mates’ fitness levels

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CRISTIANO RONALDO branded his return to Manchester United a  ‘disaster’ — a new book sensationally claims.

The Portuguese star rejoined United in August 2021 but his time at Old Trafford has been plagued by controversy.

Cristiano Ronaldo is said to have been shocked and upset at how Man Utd had failed to progress off the pitch when he returned last year
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Cristiano Ronaldo is said to have been shocked and upset at how Man Utd had failed to progress off the pitch when he returned last yearCredit: Getty
Returning Cristiano Ronaldo and manager Erik ten Hag have endured turbulent times at Old Trafford this season
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Returning Cristiano Ronaldo and manager Erik ten Hag have endured turbulent times at Old Trafford this seasonCredit: PA

It culminated in boss Erik ten Hag   banishing   him   from   the   team after he refused to come on  in this month’s  win over Spurs.

The book — which details the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s stellar career and is published next month — insists he was:

  •  UNHAPPY under previous interim boss Ralf Rangnick, confessing to a senior executive during a Fifa event in the UK: “This is a disaster.”
  • FRUSTRATED about the lack of investment in facilities at the Carrington training ground.
  • ANNOYED the club had not evolved since he left for Real Madrid  in 2009.
  • SHOCKED few players shared the same level of commitment as him to remain in peak physical shape.

READ MORE ON RONALDO

Ronaldo, 37, has scored 27 goals in 51 appearances since rejoining from Juventus.

But he still wants to leave in January after just two Prem starts under Ten Hag, even though he has now been reinstated in the first-team squad.

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And the book —   Messi vs Ronaldo: One Rivalry, Two GOATs, and the Era That Remade the World’s Game — also claims former United team-mate Rio Ferdinand persuaded him not to sign for bitter rivals Manchester City in a 3am phone call.

United finished sixth last term and endured another trophyless season following Rangnick’s appointment after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked.

Ten Hag fined Ron two weeks wages for his Old Trafford strop but recalled him for Thursday’s 3-0 Europa League win over Sheriff.

 Ronaldo took to social media to explain his actions against Spurs, insisting: “I’ve always tried to set the example myself for the youngsters that grew in all the teams I’ve represented.

“Unfortunately that’s not always possible and sometimes the heat of the moment gets the best of us.”

is out on November 10 and published by Mariner Books.

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