Cristiano Ronaldo says Erik ten Hag's attitude is too negative, but has also urged the Manchester United manager to aim for the Premier League title despite the club needing to "rebuild from scratch".
The Portuguese star, who currently plays for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, fell out with Ten Hag before his second spell at Old Trafford ended at the end of 2022.
Ronaldo believes the Red Devils need comprehensive changes but Ten Hag should not rule out the possibility of winning major trophies in the meantime.
The Dutchman has said he is "quite confident" of winning more silverware this season after winning the Carabao Cup and FA Cup in the past two campaigns.
But last July he said his team were “a long way” from being ready to win the Premier League, a trophy they have not won since Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season in charge in 2013.
"In my opinion, Manchester needs to rebuild everything," Ronaldo said in an episode of the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, scheduled to be released on Thursday (September 12).
"As the manager of Manchester United, you cannot say that you will not fight to win the Premier League or the Champions League.
You have to keep that thought in your mind, listen, maybe we don't have that potential, but you can't say that. You have to try."
Man United beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final in May but endured their worst Premier League season - finishing eighth. The 20-time English champions have lost two of their opening three games this season.
"The team needs time to rebuild because it is still one of the best clubs in the world, but they need to change," Ronaldo said.
“They understand that. This is the only way. This is why they are showing that they are starting to change again, the owners, the leadership structure, the chairman, the infrastructure and everything.”
British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe completed his purchase of a stake in the club in February and has since overseen major changes to the hierarchy after taking control of football operations.
"I believe the future is bright," Ronaldo continued, "I believe, but it doesn't just depend on talent. It's more than that. Everyone has to do it, not just the players, the club, everything has to be united, united.
They have to build from scratch. Otherwise, they can't compete."
Ronaldo spent six seasons with United during his career, scoring 27 goals in 54 appearances in his second spell at Old Trafford after signing from Juventus in 2021.
After leaving just over a year later, he said he felt "betrayed", saying of Ten Hag: "I don't respect him because he didn't respect me".
However, CR7 said he still loves the club.
"I'm not happy about what happened but sometimes we can't control certain moments in our lives, but it's done," he said.
"To prove whether I am right or wrong is no longer my problem. I said what I had to say and for me, it's done.
I love the club. I'm not the type of person to forget the past."
