"Goals for our positions is more important than f****ing stepovers!” - Cristiano Ronaldo details shift in his mindset at Manchester United

Former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo has discussed the mindset-shift he underwent as a youngster at Old Trafford. In a podcast with Rio Ferdinand, the 39-year-old reminisced about his time with the Red Devils and what prompted him to alter his game.

Ronaldo first came to the limelight for his trickery on the ball when playing for Sporting CP. At Manchester United, however, he developed from a trickster into a goal-scoring winger before turning into a prolific goal-scoring forward at Real Madrid.

While talking to Rio Ferdinand on his podcast, Cristiano Ronaldo spoke about his realisation that scoring goals took precedence over doing a few step-overs.

"I realise that the goals for our positions is more important than f****** stepovers!," he said.

Watch the segment where Cristiano Ronaldo talks about changing his game from showboating to scoring goals:

The Al-Nassr captain also talked about watching the skills segment on Sky Sports and being impressed with his former teammate. He added that showboating was one chapter in his life, but he had to leave it behind because it was "not worth it anymore".

"We encourage Cristiano Ronaldo to do that" - When former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson backed the Portuguese star's flamboyance

During the early days of his playing career, Cristiano Ronaldo received a lot of criticism for his showboating. Opponents would often get physical and put in hard tackles as a response to the Portuguese forward's trickery.

Back in 2008, after the first-leg of their Champions League quarterfinal against Roma, then-Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson spoke about Ronaldo's playing style.

"As far as I am concerned he can carry on doing what he does. He's a winner. Opponents can't kick him out of the game because he will always get up and play," Sir Alex Ferguson said (via the Mirror).

"Ronaldo is a player who wants to express his talent, which is why people are prepared to pay £40 to £50 to watch him play."

Ferguson spoke about giving Cristiano Ronaldo the confidence and courage to play his natural game.

"It may be annoying to an opponent because he's prepared to take the ball to him and show these talents, but you can't deny the boy's confidence and courage to do that," the former Manchester United boss said.

"That's what Ronaldo is saying when he plays. In whatever fashion he does it, I don't care. He's paid for his ability and his expression of that ability," he admitted.

The 13-time Premier League winning manager explained that they had a clear line that his players would not cross. He said that he encouraged his players to show their talent but always respect the opponents.

"We encourage him to do that, we encourage it of all our players. It's an expression of play, of having confidence in the way you play," said Ferguson.

"We don't encourage our players to humiliate opponents. I think it's fair to say we don't do that. But fans want to see players like Ronaldo who are prepared to show talent," he concluded.

Cristiano Ronaldo played for Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United for six seasons between 2003 and 2009. Together, they won three Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy.