sportbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Former Manchester United Youngster Says Cristiano Ronaldo Was 'Bullied'

Former Manchester United Youngster Says Cristiano Ronaldo Was 'Bullied'

Cristiano Ronaldo was 'bullied' when he first arrived at Manchester United, according to one former teammate at Old Trafford.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Cristiano Ronaldo was actually 'bullied' by his Manchester United teammates for his stepovers, when he first arrived at Old Trafford, according to a former teammate.

Mads Timm was a young prospect at United in the 2000's and trained with Ronaldo for three years after he joined from Sporting Lisbon in 2003.

The Dane has offered an insight into Ronaldo's early years and despite being mocked by his peers, the Portuguese international wasn't scared to be himself.

"He was quite extraordinary as a footballer, and as a person," Timm explains in his book Red Devil per The Sun.

"Like me, he was bullied when he came to the club. With his hair - which he soon got clipped - and with his almost acrobatic attempt to impress the coaches.

"He could stand and do 10-15 step overs before he tried to dribble past the opponent."

Ronaldo with the current United boss. Image: PA Images
Ronaldo with the current United boss. Image: PA Images

Timm, who made just one appearance for the Premier League side, as a substitute in a Champions League group game, revealed that two United legends were at the forefront of the 'abuse.'

Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville and current Red Devils' boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who would love to re-sign Ronaldo, lay into the flashy winger during training games, "'Pass now, just pass, dammit,' shouted Gary Neville and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer constantly to him when we had reserve team matches together.

"The special thing about Cristiano Ronaldo was that he immediately took the fight against the hierarchy. And he won it.

"He was completely indifferent to the rest of his teammates. He gave no room for others. It was me, me, me. Cristiano Ronaldo. CR7."

Timm playing for United in 2002. Image: PA Images
Timm playing for United in 2002. Image: PA Images

Timm, who spent some time on load with Walsall during his spell at United, claimed Ronaldo wasn't the best player he trained with at Old Trafford but his mentality was better than anyone else's, adding, "He's not the best player I have played with, but he is the most focused person I have ever me.

"Mentally he reminded me of myself at age 12, and he does really still.

"I do not think he sees himself from the outside, and I do not think he's going to sit and laugh at himself. I think that's why he survived in the professional football world."

18 years on the Juventus forward is still doing far more than just 'survive' in football, the 36-year-old scored a perfect hat-trick against Cagliari at the weekend.

The five time Ballon d'Or winner leads the scoring in Serie A as well this season, despite Andrea Pirlo's side struggling to win a 10th title in-a-row.

He did struggle in the Champions League tie against Porto last week and there has been talk of him leaving Italy, potentially for a return to Real Madrid.

Words by Ryan Sidle and Dan Marland.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Football, Manchester United, Serie A, Premier League, Juventus, Cristiano Ronaldo