Ex-Manchester United coach Benni McCarthy has hit out at the club's youngsters who did not take advantage of Cristiano Ronaldo's return in 2021.

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Ronaldo rejoined United in 2021McCarthy criticises youngsters not following his exampleClub have been on the decline sinceFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Ronaldo rejoined United after 12 years away when he signed from Juventus, having won three Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League during his first stint with the club between 2003 and 2009. His second spell at Old Trafford was less successful, failing to win any silverware in his one full season with the club, and McCarthy believes his star quality was not put to best use off the pitch either.

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Ronaldo's return as one of the greatest goal-scorers ever came during an unhappy period for the club, who have not won the title since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement as manager in 2013. He joined a squad featuring Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and other promising forwards, none of whom have significantly improved the team's fortunes since.

WHAT MCCARTHY SAID

McCarthy, who was a coach at the club during Ronaldo's second spell, told at the Gaffer of all Accas launch: "You know what, it was brilliant working with Cristiano Ronaldo. You've got a guy who knows football inside out. It was genuinely so nice to just see the drive and determination he still had at his age, especially compared to the younger players around him. If I were them, I would have smothered him with questions, asking this and asking that and wanting to know everything. His regime, his methods, his approach to staying as sharp and in shape as he is. What does he do? How does he live his life? I would have asked all those things. And it's a shame that our players never, ever latched on to him in that sense."

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO AND MAN UTD?

Things have gotten worse for United since Ronaldo's second departure to Al-Nassr in December 2022, with 10 wins from their final 13 league matches required simply to avoid suffering their worst ever Premier League campaign in terms of points. Ronaldo is less than 80 goals away from notching the 1,000th of his career and seems set to be part of Portugal's efforts to win the 2026 World Cup.