Cristiano Ronaldo has hit out at Manchester United (Pictures: Getty)

Manchester United are ‘one or two steps behind’ Premier League rivals Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea, says wantaway striker Cristiano Ronaldo.

United have won a record 20 league titles, 12 FA Cups, five League Cups and three Champions Leagues, but have found success hard to come by since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement almost a decade ago.

Since Fergie left Old Trafford in 2013, the Red Devils have only lifted three trophies – the FA Cup in 2016 and the League Cup and Europa League in 2017.

Ronaldo says Manchester United have not ‘evolved’ since Ferguson retired and claims ‘mistakes’ like hiring Ralf Rangnick as interim manager have seen the club fall behind Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea.

Rangnick was in charge of the side for most of last season after replacing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the Old Trafford hot-seat, but Ronaldo says it was a ‘ridiculous’ appointment.

‘Since Sir Alex Ferguson left, I haven’t seen an evolution at the club,’ Ronaldo said in an interview with TalkTV’s Piers Morgan. ‘The progress was zero.

‘For example, we have an interesting point as to how the club, like Manchester United, after sacking Ole, they bring Ralf Rangnick, which is something nobody understands.

Ronaldo was bemused by Ralf Rangnick’s appointment (Picture: Getty)

‘This guy isn’t even a coach. A big club like Manchester United bring a Sport Director, surprise not only me, but all the world.

‘Of course [it was a ridiculous decision], we have to be honest, if you’re not even a coach, then how are you going to be the boss of Manchester United?

‘It’s something that I should say that Manchester United hasn’t followed the right way to reach success, like other teams, for example, Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea. They are one step behind or two. It’s because of these kinds of mistakes, in my opinion.’

Given Ronaldo’s explosive interview with Morgan, former England striker Gary Lineker has dismissed the prospects of the Portugal legend reviving his Manchester United career.

Ronaldo scored 24 goals in 38 appearances last season after completing a sensational return to Old Trafford. He has been less influential this term, however, starting just four Premier League games under Erik ten Hag.

Match of the Day host Lineker posted on social media: ‘I can’t see Cristiano at Old Trafford for long.

‘Burying pretty much everyone at the club in his interview with Piers Morgan: the players, the staff, the coaches, the board. Extraordinary!’

Since Manchester United last won the Premier League, rivals Manchester City have lifted the title five times, while Liverpool ended their 30-year wait for a league title in 2020.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have won twice as many trophies as United since 2013, including two league titles and the Champions League.

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‘It’s because of these kinds of mistakes, in my opinion.’