Ronaldo needed this to reach the next level - Meulensteen

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Cristiano Ronaldo was something special even before he arrived in the Premier League. Goalscoring feats at Real Madrid & Juventus paint a picture of a 'natural' goal-scorer. As with most things in the game though, you get out what you put in.

The coach during Manchester United's most successful period was Rene Meulensteen. He exclusively explains to football4football what this meant for the Portuguese superstar.

On returning to Manchester United, 1st team training was down to Meulensteen. Previously he had been junior technical skills & reserve coach. This time around was an opportunity.

He wanted to get a little more from one of the finest squads ever assembled in the Premier League. Team training delivered tactical necessity, but to improve this team; required individual practice.

Past professional footballers didn't see much need or benefit in doing individual training. It was very much I do what I know, and I know what I do with the squad.

Manchester United players were given the option to work on their game in isolation. Many took up the offer in some shape or form. One player with a laser-guided focus on his future used the opportunity to take his game to another level.

In 2003, Cristiano Ronaldo was being touted as potentially being in the group, 'the world's best'.

football4football - training team

By no means the finished article, he was either going to be a coach's dream or their worst nightmare. His flashes of ability were breathtaking. This was housed inside a developing physique, equipped for the modern game.

So, what was there to fear? As a young player, he was still piecing together an effective game but was very aware he was a 'bit of a big deal'.

Benefits

Individual, 1 to 1 or unopposed training causes debate time after time. Some argue that it's solely for players in the development phase. Senior pros 'should' be working on elite physical performance & tactics. Basic competence with the ball should be a given; it was thought.

Rene explained the technical benefits to Sir Alex Ferguson, who wasn't one for resting on his laurels. With a team winning as often as Manchester United did back then, it would need player 'buy-in' for what Rene was proposing.

Manchester United played some fantastic attacking football during Ronaldo's time there. Still, he was seen as not taking his chances in front of goal.

Well, not as many as he could've anyway. Unlike other the 'true' strikers, Ruud van Nistelrooy & Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. They always wanted to make keepers 'work' and hit the net in any fashion possible.

It was felt Cristiano only craved goal of the month contenders. If simple finishes were exploited, more goals could've been had. Of course, Ronaldo was doing some pretty impressive things.

He could easily have been left to his own devices to see 'how things developed'. That was not in Rene's or Ronaldo's remit.

Fergie had long accepted his maximum effect was at a managerial distance. So securing Meulensteen to prepare his squad, was a masterstroke.

The Dutchman renowned for his thoroughness, identified shortcomings lesser coaches, would've let slide.

Having an eye for detail is one thing. Confidence to engage players with areas of concern is the difference.

Sir Alex was, of course, noted for his preference to have 'a chat' with prospective transfer targets. That bit of a getting to know what drives the individual session is what gets the deal done. With Cristiano, he was convinced of his professional integrity to succeed.

Ronnie (Cristiano) always said he wanted to be the best in the world

Former Manchester United player - John O'Shea exclusively to football4football

A club of Manchester United's stature either elevates or destroy players. Historically, young footballers don't take well to instruction.

The ignorance of youth is generally their mentor. It would've been easy for Cristiano to think he just had to put his boots on for things to happen. He was already tearing up the Premier League.

The football landscape had changed since Sir Alex guided Ryan Giggs , Paul Scholes and the Class of 92. Psychological devices (the hairdryer) of the past would need refining. A technical approach for the young Portuguese to fulfil his potential was applied.

Ronaldo was taken aside by Meulensteen to plot a path for consistent efficiency. The previous best haul was a splendid 23 goals. This was in a season before individualised coaching interventions.

The top-flight game was seeing an increase in the use of data and video reporting. Opposition analysts were potentially becoming aware of Cristiano's 'smash it' repertoire.

Rene's aim for the player was to appreciate how to drive into the area. Using the full dimensions of the goal to add a more varied range of finishes would bring reward.

Every player that gets handed something that they know it makes me a better player - will work at it

Rene Meulensteen - exclusively to football4football

Credit should be given to the player's mentality here. He took the observations on board and underwent the extra training. The focus, controlled finishing and variety. The end product? A season that saw him break the 40 goal barrier, predicted by Meulensteen himself.

Rene made a determined effort to deliver the individual training sessions. Making sure a player could clearly see how it would impact on their game was vital.

Even at the elite level, a little 'extra' can be squeezed out. This is done without opposition in the gym physically for players. It can also be done with a ball, technically.

Ronaldo has gone on to become one of the greatest goal-scorers the game has ever seen.

His focus, determination and professionalism are ingredients for success. So is an open mind, to appreciate when and how to fine-tune elements of his game.

He, of course, left the family environment of Manchester United. But Ronaldo hasn't changed.

During an invitation to watch Real Madrid train, football4football saw this first hand. At the end of squad training, Ronaldo grabbed a ball to go do his individual training drills.

We're pretty confident Juventus Training Center sessions will have the same flow.

RINSE & REPEAT: Ronaldo is proven goalscorer and trains to prove it

The best

In the present day of extreme wealth for the football elite, it takes motivation to excel. The driver for Cristiano Ronaldo becomes more apparent and commendable. More so, with all he's won, and still wants to 'work on his things'.

No matter how good the player, there's always room to improve them. That's the great thing about the game; you never stop learning.

Top footballers want to take their performances to the next level. Coaches like Meulensteen, with the mindset to challenge themselves and those they coach, elevate the game.

If that means working on isolated aspects of a players game, then so be it.

There's nothing wrong with giving a ball to a player, yes even Ronaldo, to do unopposed drills. You only have to look at Guardiola getting Raheem Sterling to repeatedly work on specific areas of his game, as an example.

These are the building blocks for progression. If a player has a weakness, work on it. If they have a super skill, make it so fine-tuned it can be carried out at will, without thought whenever it's needed.