The Portuguese icon has had his say on the Dutch tactician, who is set to take over from Ralf Rangnick at the end of the season.

While Erik ten Hag's move to Manchester United was confirmed a while back, the club's top scorer and talisman Cristiano Ronaldo had remained quiet about the Dutch tactician's imminent Old Trafford arrival.

The 52-year-old will take over from Ralf Rangnick at the end of the season, coming in from Ajax in an attempt to rebuild the Red Devils and reinstate the Premier League giants at the pinnacle of English football.

However, in the months leading up to his appointment, reports emerged claiming that several players in the Theatre of Dreams dressing room weren't keen on Ten Hag as they felt he wasn't the experienced, high-profile manager needed at the club.

While those disgruntled players were never actually named, some began suspecting Ronaldo of being part of that crowd. However, the Portuguese icon looks to silence those claims by breaking his silence on their newly-appointed manager, releasing a statement ahead of his arrival.

"What I know about him is he did a fantastic job for Ajax, that he's an experienced coach," Ronaldo said, as per Manchester United's official website. "But we need to give him time.

"Things need to change the way he wants.

"I hope we have success, of course, because, if you have success, all of Manchester is going to have success as well. I wish him the best.

"We are happy and excited, not only as players, but the supporters as well.

"I wish him the best and let's believe that, next year, we are going to win trophies."

Two things can be inferred from this statement. First of all, Cristiano Ronaldo is a dedicated professional, which should not come as a huge surprise due to the long and illustrious career he has enjoyed across Europe's major leagues – the Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A.

Secondly, and maybe more importantly, the attacker has hinted at an Old Trafford stay next season by stating "next year, we are going to win trophies". Some have tipped the former Real Madrid star to leave in the absence of UEFA Champions League football, but the 37-year-old has given Red Devils fans hope that he will remain on board.

Despite a disappointing 2021/22 season, Ronaldo has enjoyed a stellar campaign on a personal level, scoring 18 goals in the Premier League in 30 appearances while netting six in seven outings in the UEFA Champions League. Nonetheless, the job is not over as Rangnick's men must beat Crystal Palace in their final game of the season as they are in risk of missing out on UEFA Europa League football to West Ham, who are only three points behind with two matches left to play.