In a YouTube conversation with former center-back Rio Ferdinand, Maguire reflected on the 2021-2022 season, when Ronaldo returned to Old Trafford after 12 years.

"We couldn't find a way to play properly with him in the team," the 32-year-old said. "Ronaldo played well, scored a lot of goals, with crazy numbers. Man Utd played badly, but he still scored. That shows how good Ronaldo is."

Ronaldo (left) and Maguire during Man Utd's match against Atalanta at Old Trafford, Manchester, UK, Champions League group stage on 20/10/2021. Photo: AP

Maguire was captain of Man Utd during Ronaldo's second stint with the club. In the 2021-2022 season, the Portuguese superstar scored 24 goals in 38 games, but the "Red Devils" won no trophies and changed managers twice. The following season, Ronaldo and manager Erik ten Hag clashed, and he scored only three goals in 16 games.

According to Maguire, Man Utd had tactical issues when Ronaldo returned but also asserted that the cause did not stem from the veteran striker. "The reason was that the players and tactics revolving around Ronaldo were not effective," Maguire added. "We didn't know when to press, put pressure on the opponent, and when to hold our positions. Ronaldo was annoyed and disappointed that Man Utd couldn't adapt to him."

Ronaldo first joined Man Utd in the summer of 2003. Before leaving in 2009 to join Real Madrid for a then-world-record 97 million USD, the Portuguese forward scored 118 goals in 292 games, winning nine trophies with Man Utd, including a Champions League title and three Premier League titles.

Ronaldo returned to Man Utd in the summer of 2021, after the team finished second in the Premier League the previous season. Fans welcomed him warmly and hoped he would be the final piece to help the team compete for the championship. But in the 2021-2022 season, Man Utd were eliminated in the Champions League round of 16 and finished sixth in the Premier League.

The relationship between Ronaldo and Man Utd became strained at the start of the 2022-2023 season. The striker, born in 1985, wanted to leave for a club with a Champions League spot and reported late for pre-season by three weeks. From there, he lost his starting position and had several conflicts with newly appointed manager Ten Hag, even refusing to come on in the final minutes and leaving early in a game against Tottenham.

Before joining the Portugal national team for the 2022 World Cup, Ronaldo publicly criticized Ten Hag and Man Utd in a 90-minute conversation on Piers Morgan Uncensored. Over a week later, he and the club mutually agreed to terminate his contract six months early, ending a trophyless reunion.

Ronaldo plays in the Al Nassr vs. Al Ahli match in the Saudi Pro League on 15/3/2024. Photo: Reuters

The personal relationship between Ronaldo and Maguire also attracted attention. According to the Telegraph, in the dressing room, the forward born in 1985 would often look the other way whenever Maguire spoke. Maguire seemed unable to exert the influence of a captain over Ronaldo. Since his return, CR7 only wore the Man Utd captain's armband twice: the first time in January 2022 against Wolverhampton, and the second in November 2022 against Aston Villa.

After leaving Man Utd, Ronaldo joined Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia, earning the highest salary in history—reportedly up to 200 million USD including sponsorships and advertising. In two and a half years there, the 40-year-old forward has scored 99 goals and provided 19 assists in 111 matches across all competitions.

This summer, Ronaldo announced a new contract with Al Nassr until 2027. His salary decreased by 7.5% compared to his previous contract, but in exchange, he received a stake in the club.

Compiled by Hoang An