Cristiano Ronaldo was highly critical of Man Utd’s facilities during his second stint at Old Trafford, and Wout Weghorst has now weighed in.
Cristiano Ronaldo has criticised Man Utd’s training ground (Image: Getty Images)
Wout Weghorst has described Man Utd’s training ground as “top class” – just weeks after Cristiano Ronaldo claimed the club’s facilities were “in a bad way”.
Weghorst, 30, completed a surprise loan move from Championship leaders Burnley to United last week. The Netherlands international will spend the rest of the season at Old Trafford and fills the void left by Ronaldo, who agreed to leave the club in November.
The Portugal skipper, 37, said goodbye to Old Trafford after criticising United in a sensational interview with Piers Morgan. He slammed the Glazers and Erik ten Hag – among others – and claimed the club’s facilities had not improved in more than a decade.
Yet Weghorst has no complaints. “I have been here for three days and Carrington training ground, of course, it is top class, everything,” he told United’s website. “The training we’ve had already was great and, of course, I was at the [derby] match.
“It was the first time for me to come to Old Trafford and I always said there are a few stadiums in the world that I only want to go there if I am capable to play there, it is one of them. So for the first time [at Old Trafford], that was actually a really special moment and the atmosphere and everything was really wonderful.”
Weghorst was not signed in time to make his debut during the 2-1 win against Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday, but he is eligible to face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Wednesday. He is expected to be named in Ten Hag’s 20-man squad.
Wout Weghorst signed for Man Utd last week ( Image: Getty Images)
Ronaldo angered United’s hierarchy by conducting an unauthorised interview with TalkTV host Morgan in November. Morgan asked the five-time Ballon d’Or winner whether United’s training ground had improved since he first left the club for Real Madrid in 2009.
Ronaldo replied: “When I signed for Man Utd, I thought everything was changed because it’s 13 years… When I arrived, I thought everything will be different, you know, the technology, the infrastructures and everything.
“But I was surprised, in a bad way, let’s say in that way because I saw everything was the same… They stopped on a clock, in my opinion, which is something that surprised me.”
United quashed Ronaldo’s claims by pointing out the improvements they have made at Carrington – including a new player briefing room and refurbishments of the dressing room and restaurant. Further investment is also planned over the coming years.
Ronaldo has joined Al-Nassr since leaving Old Trafford. The veteran forward has signed a two-and-half-year contract with the Saudi Arabian club and is believed to be the best-paid footballer on the planet – earning an eye-watering £173million per year.
Ronaldo is expected to make his Al-Nassr debut in their home game against Ettifaq on Sunday. His debut has been delayed due to a pre-existing two-game ban, which was handed to him by the FA for slapping a phone out of a fan’s hand in April.
Before then, Ronaldo will make his first appearance since the transfer in an exhibition match against Paris Saint-Germain and long-term rival Lionel Messi on Thursday. Ronaldo is expected to captain an all-star team comprised of Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal players.
source: https://www.mirror.co.uk/
