Man Utd told training ground 'on par' with League One club after Ronaldo rant

12 October 2023 , 17:14

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Cristiano Ronaldo was critical of Manchester United's facilities when he returned to the club (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Manchester United academy graduate Charlie Savage has claimed Reading's Bearwood training ground is "on par" with his former club's facilities.

Savage joined United's academy when he was just four-years-old and went on to make his first-team debut in 2021 after coming off the bench in a Champions League group game against Young Boys. However, he left the club over the summer, joining League One side Reading on a free transfer.

And when he signed for the Royals, who were relegated from the Championship last season after being hit with a six-point deduction and have been handed two more deductions this campaign, Savage opened up about his decision to leave United.

In an interview with club media, the 20-year-old praised the training facilities, stating: "Reading's training ground – I heard it was good but I didn't realise it was this good. Honestly, I'd say it's on par with United at the minute."

Savage's comments come at a time when United's facilities have come in for plenty of criticism, with Cristiano Ronaldo notably claiming in his explosive interview with Piers Morgan on TalkTV last year that the facilities had not been upgraded since he left the club in 2009 to join La Liga giants Real Madrid.

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"Nothing changed, surprisingly," the 38-year-old said. "Not only the pool, the jacuzzi, even the gym. Even the kitchen, the chefs, whom I appreciate – lovely people. They stopped in time. It surprised me a lot.

"I thought I would see other things, technologies and infrastructure. Unfortunately, we see a lot of what I used to see at 21, 22 and 23 years old. It really surprised me. Since Ferguson left, I haven't seen an evolution at the club.

Charlie Savage joined Reading over the summer and claimed the League One club's training ground is "on par" with United's

"Progress is zero. You have to tear it down and rebuild it." Former United captain Gary Neville has also criticised the Glazers for not revamping the club's stadium and training facilities.

"They've still not dealt with the football operation; they've still not dealt with the player and recruitment department; they've still not dealt with the stadium which is rusting and needs massive money spent on it," he told Sky Sports.

" Manchester United need a billion pounds in this next two-three years to either rebuild or renovate that stadium. They probably need another £500-£600m on a training ground and other infrastructure projects and football investment."

Matthew Cooper