Manchester United’s Top Target Reveals What He Learned From Cristiano Ronaldo

Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish, who is one of Manchester United’s top targets ahead of the summer transfer window, has revealed a lesson he has learned from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Grealish has scored nine goals in as many as 31 matches for Aston Villa this season, across all competitions. Since the 19th placed club is on the brink of relegation, Grealish, who has impressed several big European clubs including the Red Devils, could choose to leave his boyhood club this summer.

Despite being uncertain whether he’ll remain with Villa next season or not, Grealish has not let that thought affect his performances. He is one of the most fouled players in the Premier League and he is, by now, used to receiving abuses from the opposition fans.

Grealish, who made his senior-team debut during the 2013-14 season, has revealed that he looks upon Ronaldo as an example of how to deal with the abuses from away supporters and “thrive off hatred”. During his stint with Man Utd, Ronaldo was on the receiving end of non-stop insult during away games at the Villa Park, the home ground of Aston Villa.

"I love all that. I love it when people are on my back and targeting me. I always remember when I was a kid – and I am not saying I am anywhere near his level – but Cristiano Ronaldo used to come to Villa and the fans used to absolutely caning him. He used to thrive off it and that is what I try to do. I try to thrive off the hatred from the fans,” Grealish recently told Express and Star in an interview.

Premier League, which has been suspended since March due to the coronavirus outbreak, has disclosed June 17 to be a provisional restart date. Aston Villa has a game in hand, which is against Sheffield. If Aston win the match, they would be out of the relegation zone and Grealish is confident his side can overcome these tough times.

“It is probably going to be a tough run-in. But there are also teams who have not got much to play for we are playing against so you can look at it two different ways. I’m confident we will come back and play to the best of our abilities. We are looking fit as a team, probably fitter than we were at this stage in pre-season. We still have another two weeks and hopefully, we can get fitter and more prepared than ever,” the Aston Villa captain added further.