"You look at the players we have, we have unbelievable quality but, sometimes, quality is not enough," said Cristiano Ronaldo as he dropped the bombshell.
"We need to bring the intensity and more motivation. Inside the dressing room we know what we want, but out on the pitch we need to give 100 per cent. To win these types of games we all need to be 100 per cent committed. It is tough and disappointing."
Some saw Ronaldo's explosive interview to Sky Sports last week as a further sign that Manchester United were unravelling. Fraying at the seams. That the atmosphere in the squad had once again turned toxic, with players fighting each other instead of for one another.
Things were quickly threatening to turn sour under Ralf Rangnick with results finally catching up to poor performances. United had managed just a single victory in their four previous Premier League outings, with the win coming against rock bottom Burnley.
It's no wonder Ronaldo felt the need to lay down the law. As the club's most experienced and successful player, he took it upon himself to say some hard truths. Things that needed to be said and hopefully heard.
The Portuguese took particular aim at the 'new generation' of footballers and even though he did stress he wasn't just talking about just United's crop the message still cut like a knife
“I remember when I was 18 some older players spoke with me and I took that as having to improve, they know more than me as they have more bad moments. This new generation in general don’t accept that if you criticise them. I have kids I know. They do the opposite.
“I don’t say our players but in general. You have to find the right balance to speak with them. It’s a new year we have to change the page. We have many things to win. We have to believe that or it will be a nightmare.
“I’m here to help. When they need my support and advice, I will be the number one to help.
“If you don’t want my help and my advice, do your job look at yourself. Do your best to help the team.”
The point was salient as United's youthful attack had been misfiring for some time. Marcus Rashford hadn't scored since his third strike of the season in October and Mason Greenwood had last bagged in the Champions League dead rubber against Young Boys.
On Wednesday against Brentford, however, that changed and a glimmer of light burst through the darkening clouds. Ronaldo's words were the catalyst and Anthony Elanga responded to them.
United were still dominated for large portions of the game and should have been several goals down by the time Elanga pounced on a loose high ball in the area to nod United in front.
The teenager was starting two games in a row for the club for the first time and he marked it with yet another positive performance in which he not only grabbed the opener but was a bright spark throughout, even though he had a fight on his hands against the much larger Mads Roerslev.
Ronaldo quite rightly called out the United squad's mentality, motivation and work ethic but Elanga has proved that the young players still do listen to criticism and then work hard to improve their game.
He's rising to the challenge and that positivity stemmed through the whole team. This time United didn't buckle after taking the lead as Greenwood and Rashford got on the scoresheet as well to break their own-running goal droughts.
United eventually ran out 3-1 winners and the feel-good night was only tarnished by Ronaldo's own stroppy reaction as he was substituted with 20 minutes to go. While his drive and desire to always be on the pitch and within a chance of scoring is the mindset that has allowed him to reach the heights he has in the game, it just once again makes the story about him and takes away from the first good night United have had in some time.
Hopefully, Ronaldo can now follow his own advice and take the criticism for his own petulance on the chin. Because Elanga and United's other young players look to be taking his.
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