‘The mature players, the older players, they can always help the young players. But I can give an example. If I give you advice, even if you are younger than me, if you don’t implant that during your daily life, it will be difficult.
‘But other people, they don’t accept that, if you criticise them. I don’t say this in relation to our players, but in general. I have kids. I know.’
When Cristiano Ronaldo was giving advice to Manchester United’s young players in a surprisingly outspoken interview in January, he probably did not realise the irony of his words.