Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has responded to Cristiano Ronaldo's recent criticism of the club, urging a focus on the future and acknowledging past mistakes. Ronaldo, in a candid interview with Piers Morgan, expressed his concerns about the club's current state, stating that Manchester United "don't have a structure" and are "not on a good path".

Ronaldo, who departed Manchester United for a second time in 2022, expressed sadness over the team's decline despite still having love for the club. He suggested that Amorim couldn't perform "miracles" with the current setup and that some players lack the mentality required for a club of United's stature. He stated that Manchester United needs to follow "intelligent people, smart people, to create a base for the future as Manchester United have (done) so many years ago". He also added, "But we have all to be honest and look for ourselves and say, listen, they are not on a good path, so they need to change. And it's not only about the coach and players, in my opinion".

Amorim, who previously played alongside Ronaldo for Portugal, addressed the comments in a press conference ahead of Manchester United's Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur. While acknowledging Ronaldo's significant impact with his words, Amorim emphasized the need to concentrate on the future. "Of course, he knows he has a huge impact with everything he says," Amorim said. "What we need to focus on is the future".

Amorim admitted that Manchester United "made a lot of mistakes in the past" and that the club is actively trying to change that. "We know that we as a club made a lot of mistakes in the past but we are trying to change that," he stated. He stressed the importance of not dwelling on the past and instead focusing on the present and future actions. "Let's not focus on what happened, let's focus on what we are doing now," Amorim said. "We are doing that, changing a lot of things in the structure, the way we do things, the way we want the players to behave".

Amorim highlighted the ongoing changes within the club, including adjustments to the structure, methods, and expected player behavior. He expressed confidence in the team's improvement and urged continued focus on the present course. "We are doing that and we are improving so let's focus on the way we are doing things," he added.

Addressing concerns about United's defense, Amorim acknowledged it as "a problem," particularly in the context of the modern game where successful teams concede fewer goals. He emphasized the need for improved defending and increased aggression, stating, "We need to defend better and be more aggressive". He also pointed out that, "Everything is connected. We cannot suffer the amount of goals we are suffering. That is a thing that we need to improve". He referenced Arsenal as an example to follow, noting their record of not conceding goals.

Amorim believes a stronger defense can lead to better attacking opportunities. He said, "Sometimes if you defend really well, you attack better". He cited the recent 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest, where the team allowed 17 shots against them, as an example of the defensive issues that need addressing.

Despite the challenges, Amorim expressed confidence in his team's ability to win any game and highlighted their improved confidence and understanding of the game. He noted the team manages the moments of the game better now compared to the past.