• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Cristiano Ronaldo survived brutal test at Man Utd as current stars told they 'wouldn't last five minutes'

Home> Football> Football News> Man Utd

Updated 17:12 26 Mar 2024 GMTPublished 15:34 26 Mar 2024 GMT

Cristiano Ronaldo survived brutal test at Man Utd as current stars told they 'wouldn't last five minutes'

Man United players have been told they wouldn't have been able to cope with the test Cristiano Ronaldo passed with flying colours.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Manchester United's current stars have been told they "wouldn't survive" the brutal test Cristiano Ronaldo passed.

Alan Smith shared a dressing room with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner at United but before that he was part of a Leeds side who subjected Ronaldo to seriously rough treatment at Elland Road.

In October 2003 Ronaldo played 90 minutes in a 1-0 win achieved by a Roy Keane header in the 81st minute.

But he was on the receiving end of a number of shocking challenges which Smith believes are no longer present in the game.

Advert

The 43-year-old was comparing Alejandro Garnacho's development to idol Ronaldo's progression in his early days at United.

Smith, speaking via 1337.games/online-casinos/, said: "I feel like Garnacho's trying to push himself, and there’s definitely been an improvement this year from last year. I feel like he’s been able to take the hits and his getting used to the physical side of the game has been a massive improvement."

Image: Getty
Image: Getty

Asked about whether he thinks Garnacho gets kicked in training like Ronaldo did in his early days in a bid to "toughen him up", Smith added: "I hope not! I can’t see it. I remember when Ronaldo came to Elland Road with United when I was at Leeds, and the tackles that were going in on him – people wouldn’t survive 5 minutes now.

Advert

"There’s a lot more protection to let the so called flair players exist.

"Garnacho has a long way to go, but he looks like he has the right mentality to want to work and learn, which is good."

Image: Getty
Image: Getty

The Argentine enjoyed a breakthrough season in the United first-team last season and achieved his dream of playing alongside his role model.

Advert

Still performing Ronaldo's celebrations even after his departure, Garnacho has been a key player for Erik ten Hag's side this season with seven goals and four assists in all competitions.

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United, Alejandro Garnacho

Josh Lawless
Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and WWE. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has covered two WrestleMania events for SPORTbible.

X

@joshlawless_

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Real Madrid president 'wants to meet' Man Utd star to copy Cristiano Ronaldo transfer move
  • Alejandro Garnacho told he’s ‘ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo’ at same stage of Man Utd career
  • Roy Keane says Kobbie Mainoo reminds him of one former Man Utd teammate
  • Alejandro Garnacho wears a Cristiano Ronaldo Al Nassr kit, he's the biggest CR7 fan

Choose your content:

9 hours ago
10 hours ago
11 hours ago
12 hours ago
  • 9 hours ago

    ITV forced to apologise TWICE on behalf of Tyson Fury after what he said live-on-air during Soccer Aid

    Fury was interviewed on-air at Old Trafford - with perhaps an expected result...

    Football
  • 10 hours ago

    Thomas Tuchel told to call up player to his next England squad as fans say already he's outgrown U21 side

    The England boss has been told to promote a talented U21 after his recent performances.

    Football
  • 11 hours ago

    Jack Grealish ‘pranked’ into paying fan’s bill on holiday as TikTok goes viral

    The Man City star has been brutally pranked as his teammates prepare for the Club World Cup

    Football
  • 12 hours ago

    Trent Alexander-Arnold received two gifts from Real Madrid after signing contract with the club

    Trent Alexander-Arnold received two gifts following his transfer to Real Madrid.

    Football