17 January 2024 , 21:37
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Former Manchester United goalkeeper Tim Howard has shut down Gary Neville’s theory that Cristiano Ronaldo “doesn’t work hard enough”.
The Portuguese forward is an iconic figure at Old Trafford thanks to two spells with the Red Devils - regardless of the way his second stint ended in sour circumstances. In all, Ronaldo made 346 appearances for Man United and scored 145 goals.
Despite that, there were accusations he did not work hard enough on the pitch. Speaking in October 2021, former Red Devils’ defender Gary Neville said: “With it comes big positives, but with it also comes problems. Ronaldo had to be managed shall we say…
"In the 2008 Barcelona semi-final away from home, Cristiano Ronaldo was shoved up front on his own, and [Wayne] Rooney and Ji-Sung Park were shoved wide, and [Carlos] Tevez was brought back to [mark] Busquets. You couldn't carry him in the big games because he generally doesn't work hard enough.
"So he's playing up front now - you're never going to press from the front. So the idea that Manchester United can become a pressing team with Cristiano up front is never going to happen. He wasn't pressing 10-15 years ago.”
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However, former USA goalkeeper Tim Howard believes that is not the case and has hailed Ronaldo for his attitude. Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said: “You see the perfume and underwear ads, the McLarens and the Ferraris, the houses and the yachts. Ronaldo was the joker. You've never, ever seen a human being work as hard as him.”
Tim Howard during his time at Man United (Getty Images)
Tim Howard was team-mates with Cristiano Ronaldo at Man United (Getty Images)Is Cristiano Ronaldo Man United's best-ever player? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Ronaldo has responded to claims over his work rate in the past. He previously claimed he would not have enjoyed anywhere near the success he has without working hard.
Speaking to France Football back in 2019, the Portuguese forward said: “The right ingredients to become a great football player are first, the talent. Without that, you can’t do much.
“Then, the talent is useless without hard work. Nothing falls from the skies. I would never have arrived where I am without the hard work.”
Since leaving Old Trafford for the second time, Ronaldo has rediscovered his goalscoring touch. Now playing for Saudi outfit Al-Nassr, he has scored 38 goals in just 44 appearances in all competitions.
He has just a year-and-a-half remaining on his contract with Al-Nassr after penning a deal that sees him earn around £173m per year. His side are currently taking a break from league action with their next assignment seeing them come up against Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua later this month.